On June 6, according to an official WeChat message from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and 14 other departments recently jointly issued the Implementation Plan for Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System (hereinafter referred to as the Implementation Plan). A responsible official of the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment answered reporters' questions on matters related to the Implementation Plan.

　　Q: What is the background for the release of the Implementation Plan?

　　A: The Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Comprehensively Promoting the Building of a Beautiful China proposed to "build a standard, certification, and labeling system for green and low-carbon products." The Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking Before 2030 proposed to "explore the establishment of carbon footprint standards for the whole life cycle of key products." The 2024 Government Work Report clearly put forward the task requirement to "establish a carbon footprint management system." To actively implement the deployment requirements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment took the lead in drafting and, together with 14 departments, issued the Implementation Plan, which clarifies the goals and realization paths of China's product carbon footprint management work, strengthens the division of tasks and policy coordination, and puts forward the overall requirements, main goals, main tasks, and safeguard measures for establishing a carbon footprint management system. It aims to accelerate the establishment of China's carbon footprint management system, promote the green and low-carbon transformation of production and lifestyles, enhance international exchanges and mutual trust in carbon footprint work, and help develop new quality productive forces and achieve the dual carbon goals.

　　Q: What is the relationship between the Implementation Plan and existing domestic carbon footprint policies?

　　A: The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the establishment of a product carbon footprint management system. According to the State Council's opinions on the division of work for carbon footprint management, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment is responsible for taking the lead and consulting relevant departments to carry out specific implementation work. To this end, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with relevant departments, followed the principle of giving play to synergistic effects and forming policy synergy, comprehensively reviewed the carbon footprint policies already issued by various departments, and on the basis of in-depth research and listening to opinions from all sides, paid attention to enterprise demands and based itself on actual work to compile and complete the Implementation Plan. It also solicited opinions from relevant departments, industry associations, and enterprises through multiple channels and studied and incorporated them one by one. The Implementation Plan clarifies the goals and task division of carbon footprint work from four aspects: establishing a management system, building a work pattern, promoting international mutual trust in rules, and strengthening capacity building. Its key tasks are more detailed and its measures more focused. It is the "task book" and "construction blueprint" for the construction of China's product carbon footprint management system in the period ahead.

　　Q: What are the main goals of establishing a carbon footprint management system?

　　A: The Implementation Plan closely follows the goals and tasks of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and clarifies the construction goals of the carbon footprint management system in stages. By 2027, a carbon footprint management system will be initially established. A national general standard for product carbon footprint accounting aligned with international practices will be formulated and issued, accounting rules and standards for about 100 key products will be formulated and introduced, a product carbon footprint factor database will be initially built, a product carbon footprint labeling certification and grading management system will be initially established, and positive progress will be made in international alignment of carbon footprint rules for key products. By 2030, the carbon footprint management system will be more complete and application scenarios will be richer. Accounting rules and standards for about 200 key products will be formulated and introduced, a product carbon footprint factor database with wide coverage, high data quality, and strong international influence will be basically completed, a product carbon footprint labeling certification and grading management system will be fully established, and the application environment for product carbon footprints will be continuously optimized and expanded. Product carbon footprint accounting rules, the factor database, and the carbon labeling certification system will gradually align with international practices, and China will substantively participate in the formulation of international rules for product carbon footprints.

　　Q: What key tasks need to be completed to establish a carbon footprint management system?

　　A: The Implementation Plan proposes 22 key tasks in four aspects. First, establish and improve the carbon footprint management system. This includes issuing general standards for product carbon footprint accounting, issuing accounting rules and standards for key products, establishing and improving a product carbon footprint factor database, establishing a product carbon labeling certification system, establishing a product carbon footprint grading management system, and exploring the establishment of a carbon footprint information disclosure system. Second, build a carbon footprint work pattern with multi-party participation. This includes strengthening policy support and coordination, increasing financial support, enriching and expanding application scenarios, encouraging local pilots and policy innovation, and encouraging enterprises in key industries to take the lead in trials. Third, promote international mutual trust in product carbon footprint rules. This includes actively responding to international carbon-related trade policies, promoting international alignment of product carbon footprint rules, promoting exchange and mutual recognition of product carbon footprint rules with Belt and Road partner countries, actively participating in the formulation of international standards and rules, and strengthening international exchanges and cooperation. Fourth, continuously strengthen product carbon footprint capacity building. This includes strengthening capacity building for product carbon footprint accounting, standardizing professional services for product carbon footprints, strengthening the training of product carbon footprint personnel, enhancing the quality of product carbon footprint data, establishing a metrological support and safeguard system for product carbon footprint data quality, and strengthening data security and intellectual property protection for product carbon footprints.

　　Q: What are the highlights of the Implementation Plan?

　　A: The Implementation Plan adheres to a systematic concept and, in accordance with the principle of gradual progress, starts with product carbon footprints, improves domestic rules, promotes international alignment, and establishes a unified and standardized carbon footprint management system. First, it highlights the connection and coordination of domestic and international work. The Implementation Plan adheres to proactive action and pragmatic cooperation, proposes accelerating the construction of a carbon footprint management system, actively participating in the formulation of international rules, and promoting exchange and mutual recognition of product carbon footprint rules with Belt and Road partner countries, reflecting the connection and coordination between domestic and international work. Second, it emphasizes the detailed implementation of tasks and measures. In the process of drafting the Implementation Plan, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment fully listened to opinions from enterprises, industry associations, industry authorities, research institutions, and other parties. Based on actual needs and work realities, it listed 22 main tasks in the form of a checklist, covering the "whole chain" of product carbon footprint work, clarifying key industry products for which urgent needs should be addressed first, and detailing implementation measures for international mutual recognition. Third, it highlights task coordination and multi-party participation. The main tasks of the Implementation Plan cover key products in nearly 20 industries, and the division of work involves 19 departments. It gives full play to the positive role of each department, realizes the connection of product carbon footprint work, and forms policy synergy. In relevant tasks, it encourages research institutions, industry associations, enterprises, and other parties to participate, striving to build a work pattern of joint action, joint contribution, and shared benefits, reflecting full coverage and overall mobilization of the entities involved in carbon footprint work.

　　Q: How will the implementation of the Implementation Plan be effectively promoted next?

　　A: Establishing a carbon footprint management system is a systematic project that requires all parties to strengthen coordination and form synergy. To ensure that relevant work is implemented and effective, the Implementation Plan proposes safeguard measures in three aspects. First, strengthen overall coordination. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with the National Development and Reform Commission and other relevant departments, will conduct in-depth research on major international and domestic issues in the field of product carbon footprints, regularly schedule work progress, and solidly implement all tasks. Second, strengthen work implementation. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with the National Development and Reform Commission and other relevant departments, will strengthen the implementation of the division of work and establish an expert group to ensure the effective implementation of the plan. Third, strengthen publicity and interpretation. Make full use of various media carriers to increase publicity for product carbon footprints and provide policy interpretation, professional training, technical services, and more. Widely publicize domestic product carbon footprint work and outstanding practice cases on international occasions, tell China's story well, and spread China's experience. Next, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will adhere to high standards and strict requirements, effectively implement the arrangements and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on carbon footprint work, take proactive responsibility, mobilize multi-party participation, and join with all departments and regions to make every effort to create a work pattern of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Taking pilot work as the starting point, it will coordinate the promotion of the implementation of various tasks and ensure that the Implementation Plan is implemented and effective.