On October 31, the National Development and Reform Commission held its October press conference. Li Chao, Deputy Director of the Policy Research Office and spokesperson for the NDRC, stated that the “15th Five-Year Plan” period is crucial for achieving the goals of “peaking carbon emissions before 2030” and “reducing carbon emission intensity by more than 65% compared to 2005 levels by 2030.” These five years require rational planning of new energy consumption and carbon emission demands, and greater efforts to tap into existing capacity for energy replacement. The “15th Five-Year Plan Recommendations” propose implementing a dual control system for total carbon emissions and carbon intensity, serving as a guiding principle for comprehensive green transformation. The NDRC is working with relevant departments to accelerate the construction of a robust “dual carbon” institutional framework, encompassing local carbon assessment, industry carbon control, enterprise carbon management, project carbon evaluation, and product carbon footprint.

To better leverage investment in energy conservation and carbon reduction efforts and further enhance the guiding role of central government funds, we have revised and issued the “Special Management Measures for Central Budgetary Investment in Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction,” requiring the integrated advancement of “hard investment” and “soft infrastructure.” “Hard investment” refers to the implementation of investment projects in the conventional sense, including infrastructure construction, equipment upgrades, and other activities that can generate tangible results. “Soft infrastructure,” which you are concerned about, involves using reform methods and innovative thinking to overcome deep-seated obstacles, improve investment mechanisms, increase investment efficiency, and promote the formation of a long-term mechanism for green, low-carbon, and circular development through planning, policy formulation, and institutional innovation.

In our specific work, we will work with relevant departments and local governments to promote implementation at three levels. At the industry level, we will work with industry regulatory authorities to implement policies tailored to specific sectors, focusing on establishing and improving planning, policy, and standard systems in areas such as energy conservation, carbon reduction, resource conservation, and the circular economy. We will break down the overall goals to specific regions and key industries, and encourage relevant parties to strengthen targeted project reserves, construction, and supervision. At the local level, we will encourage local governments at all levels to leverage the combined effects of various policies related to finance, taxation, industry, and science and technology, paying greater attention to addressing weaknesses and prominent issues hindering the achievement of local carbon reduction targets through project implementation. At the project level, we will guide and supervise relevant project implementers to promote the formation of practical and effective energy conservation and carbon reduction technologies, processes, and management standards through project construction, providing practical support for the formulation and revision of relevant standards.