(Yicai) Sept. 11 -- China has published national standards for carbon footprint accounting, aiming to standardize carbon management in key areas such as basic energy, raw materials, and exports in support of the country’s decarbonization goals.

The new standards, which mainly draw on the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 14067, specify generic methods for quantifying carbon footprints, thereby laying the groundwork for carbon accounting and achieving mutual recognition of carbon emissions data, an official at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said at a press conference yesterday.

The standards will help companies identify ways to save energy and lower emissions, helping China to meet its carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, the official said, adding that they will also help Chinese firms to address green trade barriers in international markets, enhancing the low-carbon competitiveness and trade advantage of their products.

China committed in 2020 to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. These ambitious targets are part of the country’s broader strategy to transition to a low-carbon economy, reduce environmental impact, and align with international climate deals such as the Paris Agreement.

Carbon accounting standards for specific products will be advanced separately in the future under the guidance of the national standards, the official also noted.

China should focus first on compiling carbon accounting standards for the key raw material, semi-finished product, and finished product industries and then expand to other product areas and services, said Ma Cuimei, an expert at the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation.

The country should also formulate carbon emission accounting standards for key products, which should be then used to explore the possibility of setting up a carbon labeling system to guide consumers in choosing low-emission products and services, Ma noted.

China has already begun building a basic carbon footprint database for key industries and products, with the carbon footprint lifecycles of products listed as a necessary condition for assessment, according to the environment ministry. The work to compile national carbon accounting standards for electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products has also begun.

By 2025, China will have finished compiling the carbon accounting standards for about 50 key products, according to a policy document issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and other government agencies. The number will reach about 200 by 2030.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Futura Costaglione