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Following a series of new policies on national ETS, China's MEE released another comprehensive guideline on strengthening the actions and coordination on environmental protection and climate change: https://bit.ly/35DiwH3 (the guideline), https://bit.ly/39pAI8o (official Q&A).
MEE layouts its work priorities to secure the 2030 peak emission target, urging local govts, key sectors (energy, transport, building, etc.), and key industries (coal, power, etc.) to develop clear targets, implementation plans and supporting measures, and specific action plans.
One highlight is the urge to accelerating the legislation on climate change: not just to establish a stand-alone law on climate change, but also to mainstream climate change in the amendment of various laws on environment, resource, energy, land development & urban planning.
EIA is also expected to include impacts on climate; so are the "Three Red Lines" on eco-protection, environmental quality, and resource utilization, and the "Environment Permit List". This could trigger ripple effects on environmental safeguards of all sorts, banks included.
MEE wants to integrate climate actions in the planning of National Economic & Social Development Planning (i.e. annual govt work plan or FYP) and key sectors (energy, industry, infrastructures). Yet, this would require a much higher-level arrangement at least from State Council.
Possible breakthrough on integrating GHG emission into the existing pollutant emission permit system (subject to the results of future pilot experiments). Should GHG be officially managed as a "pollutant", this could mark a major step forward towards mandatory emission control.
