China's national emissions trading market and "dual carbon" goals
The national carbon market, launched in 2021 with the power sector, is the world's largest by emissions covered and from 2025 extends to steel, cement and aluminium. It supports China's goals of peaking emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, and shapes the dialogue with the EU CBAM.
At a glance
- Legal reference
- State Council Interim Regulations on the Administration of Carbon Emissions Trading (2024)
- Jurisdiction
- European Union
- Area
- EU–China: trade and investment
- Status
- Phased application
- Last reviewed
Every date for China: carbon market
- National market launched with the power sector
- State Council Interim Regulations enter into force
- Extension to steel, cement and aluminium
- Target: CO₂ emissions peak before 2030 in 1528 days
- Target: carbon neutrality before 2060 in 12486 days
Large Chinese installations in the covered sectors; indirectly, European importers and companies with production in China.
How we helpSustainability & Environmental Transition →- 01Monitor installation emissions using methods compatible with CBAM
- 02Document the carbon price paid in China for discussions with EU importers
Frequently asked questions on China: carbon market
The national carbon market, launched in 2021 with the power sector, is the world's largest by emissions covered and from 2025 extends to steel, cement and aluminium. It supports China's goals of peaking emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, and shapes the dialogue with the EU CBAM.
Large Chinese installations in the covered sectors; indirectly, European importers and companies with production in China.
16 Jul 2021: National market launched with the power sector; 1 May 2024: State Council Interim Regulations enter into force; Mar 2025: Extension to steel, cement and aluminium; 2030: Target: CO₂ emissions peak before 2030; 2060: Target: carbon neutrality before 2060.
The next milestone is 2030: Target: CO₂ emissions peak before 2030.
Monitor installation emissions using methods compatible with CBAM; Document the carbon price paid in China for discussions with EU importers.
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