• China’s first energy law, passed by lawmakers, is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, marking a significant step towards the nation’s carbon neutrality by 2060.
• The law addresses energy planning, development, market systems, and emergency response to ensure sustainable and secure energy growth.
• The legislation underscores China’s commitment to green, low-carbon transitions and aligns with its broader ambition to build a modern socialist economy.

China has taken a landmark step in its climate strategy by passing its first-ever energy law, which will come into effect on January 1, 2025. Adopted during a session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress—China’s top legislative body—the law comprises nine comprehensive chapters covering a range of critical energy issues.

The law’s scope spans energy planning and development, utilization, market systems, reserves and emergency responses, technological innovation, supervision, and legal responsibilities. According to officials, the legislation was formulated in accordance with the Constitution and aims to promote high-quality energy development, bolster national energy security, and facilitate a green and low-carbon economic transition.

Driving Carbon Neutrality:

The new law is a pillar of China’s commitment to achieving peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. State media outlet Xinhua highlighted the law’s objectives, emphasizing its role in ensuring sustainable development and supporting China’s aspirations to become a modern socialist country.

This move reinforces China’s dual role on the global stage—as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and as a leader in clean energy innovation. The country currently builds nearly double the wind and solar capacity of all other nations combined, demonstrating its capability and intent to lead in climate action.

Related Article: Guangdong’s Leap Towards Carbon Neutrality with Green Energy

A Strategic Response to Global Warming:

China’s new law arrives at a time when climate action is critical. The EU climate monitor Copernicus recently projected that 2024 could become the hottest year on record, with temperatures surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Such findings underscore the urgency for decisive policies to mitigate climate risks.

With extreme weather events already impacting China, including record-breaking heatwaves and devastating floods, the new energy law serves as a timely response to bolster the country’s resilience and transition to a sustainable future. This legislative milestone aligns with China’s broader environmental goals and prepares it for upcoming international climate negotiations, including COP29 in Azerbaijan.

China’s first energy law is a definitive step forward in its climate roadmap, setting the foundation for significant advancements in energy policy and carbon reduction over the coming decades.

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