Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: China Electricity Council (CEC) has provided limited top-line messaging on climate policy. However, the organization is actively engaged on specific strands of climate regulations, with a positive position on renewable energy and energy efficiency, and a mix of positive and negative positions on emissions trading. Its engagement with the energy transition—supporting both electric vehicles and continued use of coal—seems only partially aligned with IPCC guidelines for limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: CEC appears to have limited top-line communication on climate policy in 2023-2025. In a December 2023 journal article published in China Power Enterprise Management, CEC supported some of the science of climate change. However, InfluenceMap did not detect evidence of the association’s top-line messaging on the Paris Agreement, emissions reduction pathways aligned with IPCC science, or the role of government policy in responding to climate.
Engagement with Climate-Related Policies: CEC takes a mix of positive and negative positions on specific climate regulations. In terms of emissions trading, in a June 2024 press release, CEC supported the coordinated development of the electricity and carbon markets. In its 2022 Social Responsibility report, published in July 2023, CEC disclosed that it supported China's national carbon market and directly engaged with policymakers on emissions trading mechanisms, such as quota allocation and accounting verification. However, according to a February 2024 Economic Information Daily article and a November 2023 China Environment News article, the organization advocated for an allowance distribution that favors coal power in China's national carbon market.
In terms of renewable energy and energy efficiency, in a June 2024 Economics Daily article, CEC supported systematically designing mechanisms that promote new energy participation in the electricity market, such as a renewable energy quota system and a green certificate trading system. In a February 2024 China Environmental News article, the association supported increasing policy support for the recycling and disposal of decommissioned wind and solar power equipment. In a January 2024 press release, CEC supported the development of the green electricity market to accelerate green electricity trading and consumption.
Positioning on Energy Transition: CEC takes a mix of positive and negative positions regarding the transition away from fossil fuels. In its 2024 Annual Development Report of China's Power Industry, published in July 2024, CEC supported move towards decarbonization of energy and power sector. In a January 2024 China Electricity News Blog post, the organization supported electrification of vehicles. However, in a July 2024 Economics Daily article, CEC advocated for capacity payment policy for coal power, enabling the future role for coal in the energy mix. In a June 2024 press release, CEC advocated the continued role for coal without CCS in the energy mix, stating that it is foundational for national economic development. In its 2022 Social Responsibility Report, published in July 2023, CEC disclosed that it directly advocated Chinese policymakers for coal power subsidies.