China launches zero-carbon factory plan to drive green transition

China has unveiled a new policy framework to promote the construction of zero-carbon factories, as part of its broader push to accelerate industrial decarbonization and support the country’s long-term carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, according to a joint announcement on January 19 from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and four supporting government-backed organizations.

The policy defines zero-carbon factories as industrial facilities that achieve sustained reductions in carbon dioxide emissions through technological innovation, structural adjustments and optimized management, ultimately moving toward near-zero emissions. A phased rollout beginning this year will see China select a group of pilot zero-carbon factories to serve as benchmarks. By 2027,