Five Ministries Jointly Issue Guidance Document: Steel and Other Industries to Advance Zero-Carbon Factory Construction by 2030
On January 19, five ministries and commissions—the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, and the National Energy Administration—jointly issued the “Guiding Opinions on Promoting Zero-Carbon Factory Construction.” This document systematically outlines the path for green and low-carbon transformation in the industrial sector, clarifying that technological innovation and management optimization will drive industrial enterprises toward achieving near-zero emissions.
The Guiding Opinions set phased objectives: Starting in 2026, the first batch of zero-carbon factories will be selected to serve as exemplary models; By 2027, focus will be placed on cultivating a group of zero-carbon factories in industries such as automobiles, photovoltaics, electronics and electrical appliances, and machinery; By 2030, the construction of zero-carbon factories will be extended to high-energy-consuming industries such as steel and building materials, exploring new pathways for decarbonizing traditional industries. Systemic solutions covering design, financing, transformation, and management will be promoted to enhance carbon management capabilities across the entire industrial chain, thereby supporting a steady decline in factory carbon emissions.
The document emphasizes that zero-carbon factory construction must adhere to four key principles: First, adopt tailored approaches and systematic implementation, integrating energy, production, and operations across all stages while considering industry-specific characteristics to promote coordinated carbon reduction throughout the industrial chain. Second, drive innovation and leverage technology, accelerating the integrated application of clean energy, low-carbon technologies, and digital solutions. Third, pursue maximum reduction and continuous improvement, establishing an energy system centered on renewable sources while strengthening controls over both total carbon emissions and emission intensity. Fourth, it requires unified standards and transparency, with carbon emissions calculated and disclosed according to domestic and international standards, and data traceability and verifiability achieved through technologies like IoT and big data.
The Guiding Opinions further clarify the construction path for zero-carbon factories, including: establishing a robust carbon emissions accounting and management system; accelerating the green transformation of energy consumption structures; enhancing energy utilization efficiency; conducting carbon footprint analysis for key products; promoting collaborative carbon reduction across industrial chains; strengthening digital and intelligent control; and achieving zero-carbon goals through carbon offsets and information disclosure while pursuing continuous improvement.
The introduction of this policy provides clear guidance for the green transformation of high-emission industries such as steel, and is expected to accelerate industry action in areas including technological upgrades, energy substitution, and the establishment of carbon management systems. This will inject new momentum into achieving the dual carbon goals in the industrial sector.
Tags: Zero-carbon factories, steel industry, green transition, carbon emissions, guiding principles, 2030 targets, industrial decarbonization,
