Tianjin introduces new regulations to help peak carbon emissions, achieve carbon neutrality 
China’s Tianjin Municipality on September 27 passed regulations to help peak carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, and put them into effect on November 1. These are China’s first provincial level regulations of this kind. The regulations, which consist of eight chapters and 82 articles, include provisions on a basic management system, green transformation and legal measures to ensure that carbon emissions reach the peak and carbon neutrality is attained in Tianjin.
Here is an overview of the regulations.
Basic management system
Implement systems to regulate carbon emissions intensity and the total amount of emissions in accordance with national regulations
Green transformation (GX)
- Promote green transformation using three approaches, namely, adjusting the energy structure, transforming the industry and encouraging low-carbon lifestyles
- Promote hydrogen, wind, solar and other types of non-fossil fuel energy
Carbon emissions reduction and carbon sink increase
- Reduce carbon emissions in key areas, including industry, transportation and construction, through substitution of new and clean energy for fossil fuels and other measures
- Enhance the carbon capture capacity of forests, wetlands and seas by planting trees, protecting and restoring wetland ecosystems, etc.
Technological innovation
- Encourage the development of technologies for carbon capture, carbon utilization, carbon storage, etc.
- Promote applied research, including on carbon emission monitoring and carbon capture calculation
Encouragement measures
Promote the development of low-carbon and new energy technologies, energy conservation upgrading of equipment, etc. through grants, differentiated pricing, green finance and other measures
Penalties
If violations of the regulations concerning carbon emissions peaking and carbon neutrality are found, administrative or criminal punishment will be imposed on the offenders by the relevant municipal departments. When a designated key emitter fails to pay for part or all of its carbon emission allowances, it will receive a fine of five to ten times the price at which the unpaid allowances would have been traded in the market one month before the payment period expired. The regulations also stipulate penalties for exceeding the energy usage limits per product and producing or importing products that do not meet the mandatory energy efficiency standards.
The full text of the latest regulations of Tianjin (in simplified Chinese) is available at
http://credit.fzgg.tj.gov.cn/detail.do?contentId=e922918f2b2d4307b74cd9d082cf7082&channelId=5f324bf347114ac3a74f887a80461042
