Ahead of the 15th Five-Year Plan, China has released its Action Plan for Carbon Peaking (2026-2030), which outlines measures to achieve the country's carbon peak target by 2030 and accelerate its transition towards a cleaner energy system.

The two key targets for 2030 are reducing carbon emissions per unit GDP lowered by 17 per cent from 2025 and raising the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to 25 per cent. The plan also aims to ensure that all new electricity demand will be supplied by clean energy, further reinforcing China's transition to a greener energy system.

The plan is expected to enhance China's energy security and resilience in a volatile global energy market and pave the way for the country to enter a new phase in which non-fossil energy sources will be the primary source of energy supply for the nation, said Tian Zhiyu, Director of the Centre for Energy Sustainable Development under the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission.

The roadmap focuses on existing industries and emerging sectors. It demands to speed up low-carbon transformation in the energy-intensive industries and to nurture new green industries. Around 100 national-level zero-carbon industrial parks are to be constructed, 500 zero-carbon factories, and multiple zero-carbon transport corridors, to facilitate new engines of sustainable growth in China.

The plan also focuses more on low carbon lifestyles. It supports the development of energy-efficient buildings and facilities, increases the use of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and strives to increase the proportion of NEVs among all on-road vehicles to approximately 30 per cent by 2030, so as to make green transport a reality in daily life.

As China remains the world's largest carbon dioxide emitter, the announcement highlights its continued efforts to meet climate targets and strengthens its role in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.