Q&A: What is in China’s new five-year plan for climate change?
China has released its 15th five-year plan for climate change, outlining energy and emissions targets for the 2026-2030 period. The plan consolidates existing policies rather than introducing major new targets, focusing on carbon markets and climate governance.
Why it matters
As the world's largest emitter, China's climate policy trajectory is critical to global efforts to limit temperature rise and achieve carbon neutrality.
Share China has released a five-year plan dedicated to addressing climate change.
The 15th five-year plan for a national response to climate change is the latest in a series to outline in-depth climate and energy targets for the 2026-2030 period.
These include five-year plans for “building a Beautiful China ”, developing a “ new-type energy system ” and developing renewable energy .
There are also separate “action plans” for the 2026-2030 period, such as for peaking carbon emissions .
China has pledged to peak its emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality before 2060.
The new plan does not include any major new targets, instead consolidating and reaffirming existing policies.
Nevertheless, it includes significant signals on key policy areas, such as non-carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gases, global climate governance and carbon markets.
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