Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Lobbying Overview: The China Federation of Industrial Economics (CFIE) supported China’s 2030 carbon peak and 2060 carbon neutrality targets. It supported emissions trading and emissions reduction regulation in China. However, the organization appeared unsupportive of carbon tax and the transition away from fossil fuels.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: CFIE has limited top-line engagement on climate policy. In its 2021 Sustainable Development Report, published in November 2021, the organization supported China’s targets to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060. News outlet SINA Finance reported in December 2022 that the chairman Li Yizhong supported enhancing the capacity of carbon sinks, however, without communicating on the need to regulate direct emissions reductions. InfluenceMap did not detect public evidence of engagement on the UN Paris Agreement and the role of government policy in responding to climate change.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: CFIE appears to support specific climate policy strands with some exceptions. The association seems to strongly support GHG emissions legislation, as reported by news outlet Of Week in September 2022, the chairman called for a cap on carbon emissions and the control of carbon emissions intensity in China. News outlet the Paper in August 2022 reported that the chairman supported regulating indirect and associated emissions in addition to direct emissions.
As reported by China EV100 in April 2023, the organization called for expanding China’s national carbon market to include more entities and sectors. However, while the organization appeared supportive of a stronger carbon price in China as reported by news outlet SINA Finance in December 2022, it did not seem to support carbon taxes as it suggested the implementation of carbon tax should be accompanied by a reduction of other forms of tax. The organization has expressed the same position on carbon tax in August 2022, as reported by OfWeek.
Positioning on Energy Transition: CFIE appears to support the low-carbon energy transition whilst maintaining a role for fossil fuels. In a December 2022 speech, reported by SINA Finance, the chairman supported the low-carbon transition of industries. As reported by news outlet China EV100 in April 2023, CFIE stated support for building electric vehicle infrastructure and green power grids in China. However, news outlet the Paper reported in August 2022 that the chairman supported a continued role for coal in the energy mix and further exploration of oil and gas in China.