Circular issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and other Departments on Launching the Three‑Year Campaign for Energy‑Saving and Carbon‑Reduction Retrofits in Key Industries

(NDRC Environment and Resources〔2026〕698)

To the Development and Reform Commissions, Industry and Information Technology Authorities, Departments (Bureaus) of Ecology and Environment, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commissions and Energy Bureaus of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities with separate planning and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and relevant central state-owned enterprises:

To fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and all plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and deliver the arrangements set out at the Central Economic Work Conference and in the Government Work Report, the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments have decided to launch a three‑year campaign for energy‑saving and carbon‑reduction retrofits in key industries including steel, electrolytic aluminium, cement, flat glass, oil refining, ethylene, synthetic ammonia, methanol and coal‑fired power generation. Relevant matters are hereby notified as follows:

1. Deeply advancing energy‑saving and carbon‑reduction retrofits is an important task arranged by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. It will accelerate the green and low‑carbon transition and underpin the achievement of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets. It will also expand effective investment and promote industrial upgrading. All relevant departments, local authorities and enterprises shall fully recognise the significance of this work, adopt robust and effective measures, and push forward implementation in a steady manner.

2. Key industries feature massive energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions with high intensity, and are the priority areas for improving energy efficiency, curbing coal consumption and cutting carbon emissions. Starting from 2026, nine industries – steel, electrolytic aluminium, cement, flat glass, oil refining, ethylene, synthetic ammonia, methanol and coal‑fired power generation – will be targeted. Energy‑saving and carbon‑reduction retrofits will be rolled out comprehensively over three years to maximise improvements in enterprises’ energy and carbon efficiency and markedly raise the green and low‑carbon development level of these industries. From 2028 onwards, the scope may be further expanded to cover additional industries for phased implementation in light of practical conditions. Local authorities may launch such work in an orderly manner ahead of schedule as required.

3. Relevant departments and local governments shall strengthen guidance and support, continuously improve policies and measures, fully mobilise the initiative of enterprises, tighten supervision over energy‑saving and carbon‑reduction retrofits, and urge relevant enterprises to earnestly fulfil their primary responsibilities for energy conservation and carbon reduction. Enterprises shall actively carry out upgrading retrofits to deliver tangible outcomes in energy saving, coal reduction and carbon abatement at an accelerated pace.

Appendix: Action Plan for the Three‑Year Campaign for Energy‑Saving and Carbon‑Reduction Retrofits in Key Industries

National Development and Reform Commission

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

Ministry of Ecology and Environment

State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council

National Energy Administration

18 May 2026

Source: Department of Resource Conservation and Environment