Q&A: What is in China’s new five-year plan for climate change?

China has unveiled its new five-year plan focused on tackling climate change, known as the 15th five-year plan for addressing climate and energy targets. This plan, released in late July alongside 18 other government departments, covers a wide range of climate-related topics, including emissions, non-CO2 greenhouse gases, carbon markets, carbon footprints, adaptation, and international cooperation on climate change.

For the first time at the five-year plan level, this document establishes a comprehensive target system across all areas of climate policy, serving as the main policy instrument for advancing China's climate action from 2026 to 2030. This is a significant shift, as China typically issues high-level multi-year policies related to climate change only infrequently.

The plan reaffirms existing policies and does not introduce any major new targets. However, it does signal important developments in key policy areas, such as non-CO2 greenhouse gases, global climate governance, and carbon markets. By creating an "all-encompassing target system," the plan underscores the strategic importance China is placing on climate governance, aiming to support its Paris Agreement pledges for 2030 and 2035.