China releases draft measures to oversee industrial energy conservation to seek public comments

On July 5, 2022, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released draft measures to oversee industrial energy conservation to seek comments, which will be accepted through Aug. 5, 2022. China issued the Energy Conservation Law in 1997 to begin nationwide energy conservation practices. However, since mechanisms to oversee industrial energy conservation remain to be developed, the industry and information technology departments of local governments have so far been unable to effectively monitor energy conservation in industry. The latest draft measures have been developed to address this situation as well as achieving the “two carbon goals”, namely effectively zero carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality, and promoting green development. The draft measures specify things covered by industrial energy conservation oversight, its implementation procedures and penalties for illegal acts.

Definition of industrial energy conservation oversight

“Industrial energy conservation oversight” refers to oversight and inspections of companies, control of their illegal energy use, and proposals to them for lawful and effective ways to use energy in the manufacturing industry by the industry and information technology departments of local governments at all levels regarding compliance with laws, regulations and mandatory national standards on energy conservation in energy production, energy use and energy services.

Things subject to oversight

Here are the main things covered by industrial energy conservation oversight: