The 2022 National Ecological Environmental Protection Work Conference proposed that more attention should be paid to comprehensive management, systematic management, and source management, and to accelerate the construction of a system and mechanism that integrates pollution reduction and carbon reduction planning, deployment, promotion, and assessment, and cooperates to achieve peak carbon emissions. Neutralize work, speed up the construction of a national carbon market, carry out actions to adapt to climate change, constructively participate in global climate governance, and promote the formation of an incentive and restraint mechanism for pollution reduction and carbon reduction.

　　At present, how is my country's overall progress in addressing climate change, and what results have been achieved?

2022 is a critical year for the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan. What are the considerations for addressing climate change?

What are the specific work arrangements for this year?

Recently, a reporter from China Environment News interviewed Li Gao, director of the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

　　Positive progress has been made in addressing climate change

　　"China attaches great importance to addressing climate change, and regards addressing climate change as an important starting point for the construction of ecological civilization. In recent years, my country has implemented a national strategy to actively respond to climate change. A series of policy measures such as increasing forest carbon sinks have made positive progress in all work." Li Gao said.

　　First, carbon dioxide emission control has achieved positive results.

In 2020, China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will be 18.7% lower than in 2015 and 48.4% lower than 2005, basically reversing the rapid growth of carbon dioxide emissions.

　　The second is to further optimize the energy structure.

In 2020, the proportion of non-fossil energy in my country's energy consumption will reach 15.9%, an increase of 8.5 percentage points compared with 2005, and the dependence on coal consumption has dropped significantly; the installed capacity of renewable energy such as photovoltaic and wind power ranks first in the world, and the number of new energy vehicles half of the world.

　　Third, the first compliance cycle of the national carbon market came to a successful conclusion.

Since the start of trading on July 16, 2021, the overall national carbon market has been running smoothly, the awareness of emission reduction by key emitters has been continuously improved, and the market activity has steadily increased, which has received high attention and positive evaluations at home and abroad.

As of December 31, 2021, the cumulative transaction volume of carbon emission allowances in the national carbon market reached 179 million tons, and the cumulative transaction volume reached 7.661 billion yuan. The completion rate of the first compliance cycle was 99.5% (in terms of compliance volume), and the overall operation was stable. .

　　In addition, my country's low-carbon pilot demonstration and climate-adaptive city construction pilot work has been continuously promoted, and the "National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2035" has been organized to continuously improve the ability to adapt to climate change, and the low-carbon awareness of the whole society has also been continuously improved.

While doing a good job in addressing climate change at home, it also actively participates in leading global climate governance.

It has played a historic role in promoting the conclusion, entry into force and implementation of the Paris Agreement, and has continued to promote the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement.

Actively carry out South-South cooperation on climate change, and help other developing countries, especially small island states, least developed countries and African countries, to improve their ability to cope with climate change.

　　Carbon Peak Carbon Neutral "1+N" Policy System Accelerates the Formation

　　In 2021, important policy documents such as the Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Doing a Good Job in Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization, and the Action Plan for Carbon Peaking before 2030 will be released one after another. The "1+N" policy system is being formed at an accelerated pace.

　　Li Gao said that the next step will be to conscientiously implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and advance related work.

The first is to actively implement the national 14th Five-Year Plan for addressing climate change and the binding target of reducing carbon intensity by 18%, comprehensively considering practical factors such as the stage of economic development in various regions, and reasonably formulate local decomposition implementation plans.

The second is to promote the carbon peaking action, promote the implementation of the carbon peaking and carbon neutral "1+N" policy system, promote the construction of an economic system of green, low-carbon and circular development, and incorporate the carbon peaking related work into the central ecological and environmental protection inspector.

The third is to issue and implement the "14th Five-Year Plan for Addressing Climate Change" to provide guidance for local governments and industries in key fields to address climate change during the "14th Five-Year Plan".

The fourth is to speed up the formation of an incentive and restraint mechanism for pollution reduction and carbon reduction, and promote the introduction and implementation of the Implementation Plan for Synergistic Efficiency of Pollution Reduction and Carbon Reduction.

Fifth, continue to improve the national carbon market, and work with relevant departments to push forward the promulgation of the Interim Regulations on the Administration of Carbon Emissions Trading, and gradually expand the market coverage to more high-emission industries on the basis of the sound carbon market in the power generation industry.

Sixth, strengthen the construction of relevant systems and create conditions to realize the transition from "double control" of energy consumption to "double control" of total carbon emission and intensity as soon as possible.

Promote the establishment of a long-term mechanism for statistical accounting, data management and compliance of greenhouse gas data.

The seventh is to enhance the low-carbon awareness of the whole people, continue to carry out the "National Low-Carbon Day" activities, and promote the formation of a green and low-carbon production and lifestyle.

Eighth, do a good job in the release and implementation of the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change 2035, strengthen the impact and risk assessment of climate change, and continuously improve the ability of urban and rural construction, agricultural production, and infrastructure to adapt to climate change.

Ninth, continue to actively participate in the international negotiations on climate change, promote the establishment of a fair, reasonable and win-win global climate governance system, promote the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (COP27) to achieve positive results, and continue to carry out South-South cooperation on climate change.

　　Continue to improve the system

　　Promote the "Interim Regulations on the Administration of Carbon Emissions Trading"

　　come out as soon as possible

　　In the long run, the development of the carbon market will strongly promote low-carbon technology innovation and the transformation of industrial green and low-carbon development.

Li Gao said that the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will promote the early issuance of the "Interim Regulations on the Management of Carbon Emissions Trading" to clarify the responsibilities of all parties and put forward requirements.

　　Li Gao emphasized that in order to ensure the stable and effective operation and healthy development of the national carbon market, the next step will continue to improve the construction of relevant supporting systems.

First, do a good job in the management of the second compliance cycle of the national carbon market.

On the basis of comprehensively summarizing the practical experience of the first compliance cycle, formulate a quota allocation plan for key emission units in the power generation industry in the second compliance cycle.

The reporting, verification, allocation of quotas, and supervision and management of corporate greenhouse gas emission data shall be carried out in an orderly manner.

The second is to continuously strengthen the data quality management of the national carbon market.

Improve the technical specification system for accounting, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions data.

Strengthen the management of practitioners through the disclosure of practitioner information, performance quality assessment, and exposure of illegal acts, and focus on supervising practitioners with data fraud and outstanding report quality problems.

Use information technology to strengthen data quality management.

Strengthen the guidance and supervision of the daily business work of the local ecological environment authorities, and the local governments should prudently adopt key regulated inspection agencies, and strengthen the supervision of key emission entities associated with key regulatory agencies.

Strengthen the supervision and management of key emission units by carrying out normalized research, supervision and assistance work.

The third is to do a good job in expanding the coverage of the national carbon market industry.

Continue to strengthen the reporting and verification of emission data of key emission units in the non-ferrous metals, steel, chemical, petrochemical, aviation, papermaking and other industries to consolidate the data foundation.

Organize research on technical specifications and quota allocation plans for greenhouse gas emission accounting reports in related industries, and carry out relevant training to improve the ability of enterprises to manage carbon emissions data and participate in carbon trading.

The fourth is to promote the improvement of the voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading mechanism.

Formulate the "Administrative Measures for Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Trading (for Trial Implementation)" and related technical specifications, and organize the construction of a voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction registration system and trading system.

Fifth, strengthen the research on major policy issues in the national carbon market.

Deepen research on expanding transaction entities, enriching transaction methods and increasing transaction varieties.

Research on the system of paid allocation of quotas.

Study how quota carryover is handled.

Carry out relevant research on carbon emission rights trading, energy use rights trading, and power trading connection and coordination.

　　"We will always adhere to the combination of government guidance and market mechanisms, solidly promote the construction of the national carbon trading market system, realize the stable and effective operation and healthy and sustainable development of the national carbon market, and effectively use the market mechanism to control and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon emissions. An important role in peak carbon neutralization." Li Gao said.

　　Improve climate risk prevention capabilities

　　Compilation and issuance of the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2035

　　Climate change is a long-term and severe challenge faced by all mankind. It has and will continue to pose a serious threat to the stability of my country's natural ecosystem and economic and social development. The impact of climate change is unavoidable. Actively adapting to climate change is a realistic and urgent task.

　　"We have always adhered to the concept of paying equal attention to mitigation and adaptation, and took active adaptation to climate change as an important part of implementing the national strategy to actively address climate change. In 2013, my country issued the National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation. In 2017, 28 cities were selected to carry out The pilot project of climate-adaptive city construction has formed a number of good experiences and practices." Li Gao revealed that the "National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation 2035" will be prepared and issued in the near future, which will further make recommendations for the adaptation of climate change in key areas and regions from the current to 2035. Deployment, clear target tasks.

In the next step, we will do a good job in the organization and implementation of the strategy, and continue to strengthen overall coordination, such as formulating a strategic division of labor plan, continuing to deepen the pilot project of climate-adaptive city construction, establishing and improving the coordination and information sharing mechanism for adaptation to climate change, and expanding international adaptation to climate change. cooperation, etc.

　　Actively carry out South-South cooperation on climate change

　　Provide "China Solutions" to the world

　　Carrying out South-South cooperation on climate change is also one of the important measures to actively address climate change.

　　Up to now, China has allocated a total of about 1.2 billion yuan to carry out South-South cooperation on climate change, signed 41 climate change cooperation documents with 36 developing countries, and cooperated with Laos, Cambodia and Seychelles to build low-carbon demonstration zones. It has carried out 38 climate change mitigation and adaptation projects with more than 30 developing countries such as Ethiopia, Pakistan, Samoa, Chile, Cuba, Egypt, etc., and actively carried out capacity building training. A total of 45 sessions of South-South cooperation on climate change have been held in China. Training courses to train about 2,000 officials and technicians in the field of climate change for more than 120 developing countries.

　　Since 2021, China has put forward many new measures in the field of South-South cooperation on climate change. It has released the China-Africa Declaration on Cooperation on Climate Change, launched the China-Africa three-year action plan on climate change, and established the China-Pacific Island Countries South-South Cooperation on Climate Change. The South Cooperation Center provides "China Solutions" to help other developing countries actively respond to climate change.

　　Li Gao said that in the future, China will continue to implement the "Ten Hundred Thousands" Initiative on South-South Cooperation on Climate Change and the "One Belt, One Road" South-South Cooperation Plan on Climate Change. Provide support to other developing countries, including small island states, least developed countries and African countries, in addressing climate change, innovatively design climate change mitigation and adaptation projects, promote the construction of low-carbon demonstration zones, enrich the forms of capacity building training and content, and continue to provide relevant countries with assistance in addressing climate change.

　　Promoting climate investment and financing pilots

　　Explore differentiated investment and financing models

　　Local governments are an important foundation and key link for the realization of the "dual carbon" goal. In order to encourage local governments to guide more funds to be invested in addressing climate change, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with relevant departments, has actively promoted the pilot work of climate investment and financing, and achieved positive results.

　　In October 2020, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with the National Development and Reform Commission, the People's Bank of China, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting Investment and Financing to Address Climate Change", which systematically deployed climate investment and financing.

In December 2021, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with the National Development and Reform Commission and other eight departments, jointly issued the "Notice on Launching the Pilot Work of Climate Investment and Financing", officially launching the pilot work of climate investment and financing.

　　Li Gao said that the next step will be to carry out climate investment and financing pilot review work with relevant departments. On the basis of comprehensive consideration of work foundation, local characteristics, implementation capabilities and other factors, according to the pilot work plan and implementation plan prepared by the declared locality, organize experts to scientifically Evaluation, thorough demonstration, and determination of the pilot list.

Encourage local governments to explore differentiated investment and financing models, organizational forms, service methods, and management system innovations around the goals and key tasks of addressing climate change and in light of local conditions.

　　Strengthen professional personnel training

　　Promote the construction of a professional system for carbon emission managers

　　In order to strengthen the training of professional talents, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has guided the preparation of professional application suggestions for carbon emission managers.

　　In March 2021, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security added carbon emission administrators as the fourth new occupation in the National Occupation Classification Ceremony, commissioned relevant industry associations to start the compilation of training materials for carbon emission administrators, and released the "About the Public Collection of Carbon Emission Administrators Series". "Notice of Typical Cases Required for Compilation of Training Materials", which lays a good foundation for the efficient development of training materials for carbon emission managers.

　　Li Gao said that the next step will be to promote the work related to the career construction of carbon emission managers from three aspects.

The first is to promote the establishment and management of new occupations related to carbon emission management, and promote the formation of a complete occupational system.

The second is to study and formulate the "Carbon Emission Management Talent Team Capability Improvement Action Plan", which is guided by the practical application of work, and clearly defines the work objectives, work measures, key projects and projects for improving the carbon emission management talent team's capabilities.

The third is to guide the carbon emission administrator professional cooperation group to complete the preparation of vocational training textbooks as soon as possible, and speed up the preparation of the "Carbon Emission Administrator Vocational Skill Level Recognition Exam Outline" and "Carbon Emission Administrator Vocational Skill Level Recognition Exam Question Bank".

　　Source: China Environment News reporter: Xu Weixing