The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council: Strictly control investment in high-carbon projects such as steel and electrolytic aluminum

On October 24, the “Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on the Complete, Accurate and Comprehensive Implementation of the New Development Concept to Do a Good Job in Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” was released. The opinion pointed out that achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality is a major strategic decision made by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core in coordinating the overall domestic and international situations. It is the inevitable necessity to focus on solving outstanding problems of resource and environmental constraints and realize the sustainable development of the Chinese nation. Choice is a solemn commitment to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

The opinions clearly stated that the main goal is that by 2025, an economic system for green and low-carbon circular development will be initially formed, and the energy efficiency of key industries will be greatly improved.By 2030, significant results will be achieved in the overall green transformation of economic and social development, and the energy efficiency of key energy-consuming industries will reach the international advanced level. By 2060, a green and low-carbon circular economic system and a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system will be fully established. The energy use efficiency will reach the international advanced level, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption will reach over 80%, and the goal of carbon neutrality will be successfully achieved. The construction of civilization has achieved fruitful results, creating a new realm of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

The opinion emphasized that to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality, we must adhere to the principle of “national overall planning, saving priority, two-wheel drive, smooth internal and external flow, and risk prevention”.The opinions clarified the key tasks of carbon peak carbon neutralization: first, to promote a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, second, to deepen the adjustment of the industrial structure, third, to accelerate the construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system, and fourth to accelerate the promotion of low-carbon transportation System construction, the fifth is to improve the quality of green and low-carbon development in urban and rural construction, the sixth is to strengthen the research and promotion and application of major green and low-carbon technologies, the seventh is to continue to consolidate and improve carbon sink capabilities, the eight is to improve the level of green and low-carbon development in opening up to the outside world, and the nine is to improve Laws, regulations, standards and statistical monitoring systems, ten is to improve policy mechanisms.

The opinion puts forward that the industrial structure must be adjusted in depth. One is to promote the optimization and upgrading of the industrial structure.Accelerate the promotion of green agricultural development, and promote agricultural carbon sequestration and efficiency. Formulate implementation plans for carbon peaking in industries and fields such as energy, steel, non-ferrous metals, petrochemicals, building materials, transportation, and construction. Guided by energy saving and carbon reduction, revise the guidance catalog for industrial structure adjustment. Carrying out the “look back” to reduce the capacity of steel and coal, and consolidate the achievements of the reduction of overcapacity. Accelerate the advancement of low-carbon process innovation and digital transformation in the industrial sector. Carry out the construction of carbon peak pilot parks. Accelerate the green transformation of commerce and trade circulation and information services, and improve the low-carbon development level of the service industry.

The second is to resolutely curb the blind development of energy-intensive and high-emission projects.Newly built and expanded steel, cement, flat glass, electrolytic aluminum and other high-energy-consuming and high-emission projects strictly implement equal or reduced production capacity replacement, and introduce production control policies for coal power, petrochemical, and coal chemical industries. Those that are not included in the national industrial planning in relevant fields shall not be allowed to build, rebuild or expand oil refining and build ethylene, paraxylene, and coal-to-olefin projects. Reasonably control the scale of coal-based oil and gas production capacity. Raise energy consumption access standards for high-energy-consumption and high-emission projects. Strengthen overcapacity analysis and early warning and window guidance.

The third is to vigorously develop green and low-carbon industries.Accelerate the development of new-generation information technology, biotechnology, new energy, new materials, high-end equipment, new energy vehicles, green environmental protection, aerospace, marine equipment and other strategic emerging industries. Build a green manufacturing system. Promote the deep integration of emerging technologies such as the Internet, big data, artificial intelligence, and fifth-generation mobile communications (5G) with green and low-carbon industries.

The opinion pointed out that the investment policy should be improved. Among them, it is necessary to give full play to the guiding role of government investment, build an investment and financing system that is compatible with carbon peaks and carbon neutrality, strictly control investment in high-carbon projects such as coal power, steel, electrolytic aluminum, cement, and petrochemicals, and increase energy conservation, environmental protection, and environmental protection. Support for projects such as new energy, low-carbon transportation equipment and organization methods, and carbon capture, utilization and storage. Improve policies to support the participation of social capital and stimulate the vitality of green and low-carbon investment by market players. State-owned enterprises should increase green and low-carbon investment and actively carry out research and development and application of low-carbon, zero-carbon and negative-carbon technologies.