Achieving China's carbon peak goal and carbon neutral vision is a huge challenge, and requires arduous efforts across industries in China, according to an official from the country's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE).

China aims to peak carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. To achieve so, the country will set obligatory goals for different regions to reduce carbon intensity and ramp up inspections, Li Gao, head of the MEE's climate change office, told CGTN.

Li called the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) a crucial and window period for China to meet the goals, during which it will promote the fundamental transition and upgrading of economic structure, industrial structure, and energy structure.

The consumption of fossil fuels will be strictly controlled, while non-fossil fuels will be vigorously developed, with the capacity of absorption and storage of new energies like photovoltaic and wind power improved.

It will carry out low-carbon actions in key sectors such as industry, construction, and transportation. The public are encouraged to actively participate in green and low-carbon lifestyle.

Despite challenges, Li highlighted that China will boost green, low-carbon and high-quality development, and speed up the establishment of a clean and low-carbon energy system.

"We encourage departments to formulate carbon peaking special action plans to promote low-carbon development of urban and rural construction and accelerate the low-carbon transformation of transportation," said Li, adding that supporting measures should also be formulated to encourage qualified places to take the lead in reaching the peak.

Li stressed that China will firmly promote the construction of a national carbon market.

In December 2020, the MEE released a trial version of the measures for the administration of carbon emissions trading, and compiled the implementation plan for the 2019-2020 national carbon emission trading quota setting and allocation, indicating that the construction and development of the national carbon market have entered a new stage.

The ministry, in the next step, will accelerate the construction of the national carbon market by releasing the interim regulations on the management of carbon emissions trading, and formulating related supporting documents such as emission reporting and verification, registration, trading, and settlement, and complete a unified national registration system.

Furthermore, China will gradually expand market coverage, enrich transaction varieties and trading methods, to realize the stable and effective operation and healthy and sustainable development of the national carbon market.