China Vows to Get Greener Faster in New Five-Year Plan
00:00/00:00
Listen to this article
1x
Subscribe now
Listen to the full version
Listen to the full version
A wind power project in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province. Photo: VCG
China has unveiled a new five-year plan aimed at accelerating its low-carbon transition, pledging to further expand the share of renewables and phase out fossil fuels in an orderly way.
The 15th Five-Year Plan, covering the period from 2026 to 2030 and released this week, sets a clear tone for the country’s energy policy by calling for the construction of a “new-type power system” that is clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient. The plan aims to ensure China’s carbon emissions peak as scheduled by 2030.
You've accessed an article available only to subscribers
VIEW OPTIONS
Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.
Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.
- RELATED
Share this article
Open WeChat and scan the QR code
- DIGEST HUB
Digest Hub
Back
Explore the story in 30 seconds
- China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) aims to accelerate the low-carbon transition, targeting a carbon emissions peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.
- The plan expects wind and solar installations to exceed 200 GW annually, with total renewables surpassing 3,000 GW by 2030; coal capacity share to drop below one-third by 2025.
- Policies promote energy storage, carbon trading market expansion covering all major emitters by 2027, and support for emerging industries like hydrogen and nuclear fusion.
AI generated, for reference only
Who’s Who
- China Electricity Council
- The China Electricity Council is mentioned in the article as projecting that annual new installations of wind and solar power could exceed 200 gigawatts during the upcoming five-year plan period. This would lead to their total installed capacity surpassing 3,000 gigawatts by 2030. The council also anticipates that coal power's share of installed capacity will drop below one-third by the end of 2025.
- China National Coal Association
- The China National Coal Association projects that coal consumption in China could reach a peak plateau around 2028, potentially lasting for five to ten years. This information is relevant to China's new five-year plan aimed at accelerating its low-carbon transition.
- Agora Energy China
- Tu Jianjun, associated with the consultancy Agora Energy China (亚欧能源咨询), provided insights to Caixin. He stated that zero-carbon sources like wind, solar, and nuclear will primarily meet future electricity demand, with fossil fuels being gradually replaced.
AI generated, for reference only
What Happened When
- By the end of 2025：
- China Electricity Council expects coal power’s share of installed capacity to drop below one-third.
- As of Oct. 29, 2025：
- An official announces that the national carbon market will basically cover all major industrial emitters by 2027.
AI generated, for reference only
- PODCAST
- MOST POPULAR
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook
Sign in with 财新