On January 20, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to discuss the implementation of the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference and the efforts to achieve a strong start for the 14th Five-Year Plan.

At the meeting, Wang Shancheng, Director of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection at the National Development and Reform Commission, stated that achieving carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 is a solemn commitment China has made to the international community and an inherent requirement for high-quality development. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, especially over the past five years since the proposal of the "dual carbon" goals, the NDRC has strengthened measures and intensified efforts, yielding remarkable results. China's green transformation has entered a "fast lane," with achievements that have drawn global attention. The country has built the world's largest renewable energy system, established the most comprehensive new energy industry chain, and achieved the fastest adoption of new energy vehicles globally, ranking among nations with the most significant declines in energy and carbon intensity. The 14th Five-Year Plan period is the decisive phase for achieving carbon peak. While substantial progress has been made, numerous challenges remain, necessitating a balanced approach to green transformation, economic development, and energy security.

Wang Shancheng said that 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, during which further measures will be strengthened to focus on four key areas of work:

The first is to accelerate energy transition. With greater efforts, we will develop non-fossil energy sources, expedite the construction of a new power system, enhance grid regulation capabilities, and expand models such as direct green power supply to increase green power consumption. We will raise the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption and strive to ensure that newly added clean energy power generation gradually meets the growing electricity demand of society. We will also accelerate the transition of coal-fired power from a basic security source to a supporting and regulating source, continuously improving the clean and efficient utilization of fossil energy.

The second is to promote industrial upgrading. On one hand, we will pursue "addition" by vigorously developing green and low-carbon industries, driving energy-saving and carbon-reduction transformations in key sectors, and promoting clean coal substitution, while building zero-carbon parks and factories to encourage the growth of new industries and business models. On the other hand, we will pursue "subtraction" by strengthening standard constraints, accelerating the elimination of outdated and inefficient production capacities, and leveraging the role of energy-saving reviews and carbon emission evaluations as gatekeepers at the source to resolutely curb the blind expansion of high-energy-consuming and high-emission projects.

Third, we will strengthen comprehensive conservation. We will consistently adhere to the principle of prioritizing conservation, thoroughly implement the strategy of comprehensive conservation, enhance the full-chain management and whole-process conservation of various resources, vigorously develop the circular economy, advocate for food, water, and electricity conservation as well as waste sorting in daily life, promote green and low-carbon products, and foster the adoption of green and low-carbon production and lifestyles.

Fourth, conduct assessments scientifically. Fully implement dual controls on total and per-unit carbon emissions, establish and improve comprehensive evaluation and assessment systems for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, industry carbon management, and product carbon footprints, refine incentive and regulatory policies, leverage the role of market mechanisms, and foster a collaborative effort across society to implement these measures.