VOINews, Jakarta: China's top legislative body, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, passed the country's first-ever energy law on Friday (November 8). Set to take effect on January 1, 2025, the new law provides a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing energy security, promoting green development, and supporting the country's goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.
The law consists of nine chapters that outline key areas of focus, including energy planning, energy development and utilization, market mechanisms, energy reserves and emergency response, technological innovation, regulatory oversight, and legal responsibilities. This legislative effort underscores China’s commitment to a sustainable energy transition and the advancement of high-quality energy development.
Drafted in alignment with China’s constitution, the law serves as a crucial tool for safeguarding national energy security. It also emphasizes China’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainable development, two priorities essential to the country’s environmental and economic future.
The law also aims to support China’s carefully balanced approach to achieving peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. It is anticipated to address growing energy demands while advancing the country’s modernization efforts, setting a new standard for energy governance in line with global climate goals.
Furthermore, the law prioritizes the strategic management of energy reserves, creating mechanisms to respond to potential energy shortages or crises. This proactive approach highlights China’s focus on energy resilience amid an increasingly volatile global energy landscape.
In addition, the law encourages technological innovation within the energy sector, intending to drive advancements in renewable energy and other low-carbon technologies. Such innovation is seen as a critical factor for China’s transition to a sustainable energy model, ensuring the country remains competitive in the global energy market.
As China moves towards its ambitious climate targets, this new law provides a foundational regulatory framework that reinforces the country’s commitment to energy security, sustainability, and responsible development, paving the way for a cleaner and more resilient future./ANTARA/VOI
