Weekly Carbon News: Four Major Hydrogen Energy Visions Near Realization in Six Months

April 3, 2025 – This week, we bring you key highlights from the realm of carbon and energy transition, focusing particularly on hydrogen energy developments.

1. Carbon Neutrality News

A. Policy Updates

• 1. Action Plan for High-Quality Development of the Heat Pump Industry – On April 2, six departments, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, released an action plan aimed at enhancing the heat pump industry’s capabilities. The plan targets a more than 20% increase in energy efficiency of key heat pump products by 2030, along with breakthroughs in critical technologies such as high-capacity heat pumps and efficient compressors. The goal is to significantly boost the quality of development within the heat pump industry, thus strengthening international competitiveness.

  Zero Carbon Insight: Heat pumps are energy-efficient devices that convert low-grade heat into high-grade heat, effectively addressing heating demands and improving energy utilization efficiency. Promoting the high-quality development of the heat pump industry supports energy conservation and carbon reduction efforts in key sectors.

• 2. Draft Implementation Rules for Renewable Energy Green Power Certificates – The National Energy Administration has drafted rules for the issuance of green power certificates and is seeking public feedback. Under the proposed guidelines, certificates will be issued monthly based on renewable energy generation, with each 1000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy generating one certificate. Notably, discharge from energy storage facilities will not qualify for certificate issuance.

  Zero Carbon Insight: The management of green certificate issuance will be centralized, ensuring accuracy and traceability in the data collection process.

• 3. Solid Waste and Chemical Pollution Prevention Conference – From March 30 to 31, a conference was held in Guiyang, focusing on solid waste and chemical management for the 2025 period. Minister Huang Runqiu emphasized a unified approach to reduce, recycle, and safely manage waste, thereby preventing ecological risks.

  Zero Carbon Insight: Local environmental departments are encouraged to implement comprehensive waste management strategies to enhance ecological protection.

B. Industry News

• 4. Chifeng City Partners with China Quality Certification Center – On April 2, a strategic cooperation agreement was signed to establish a national-level demonstration benchmark for the new energy industry. This collaboration aims to support the construction of zero-carbon parks and other critical projects.

  Zero Carbon Insight: The partnership will foster innovation and standard development in the new energy sector.

• 5. Tianjin Establishes “Zero Waste City” R&D Center – On March 30, Tianjin launched a technical R&D center focused on zero waste initiatives. The center aims to gather and promote innovative waste management technologies throughout the city.

  Zero Carbon Insight: The center will collaborate with universities and research institutions to further develop waste management technologies.

• 6. 2025 China Green Economy Annual Conference – Held on March 30 in Beijing, this conference gathered experts and representatives to discuss innovations in the green economy. Topics included the development of zero-carbon parks and factories.

  Zero Carbon Insight: The conference highlighted the importance of incorporating AI and digital technology into green economic development.

• 7. CIHC 2025 International Hydrogen Energy Conference – On March 26, this conference brought together representatives from over 50 countries to discuss international cooperation and technological innovation in hydrogen energy.

  Zero Carbon Insight: Significant collaborative outcomes were announced, supporting China’s hydrogen energy innovation and development.

C. Local Developments

• 8. Beijing’s Green Economy Benchmark City Initiative – A recent meeting outlined Beijing’s strategy for becoming an international benchmark for green economies by 2025, focusing on developing seven strategic green industries.

  Zero Carbon Insight: The initiative aims to enhance green industrial clusters and strengthen the city’s cultural soft power.

• 9. Anhui Province Explores Ecological Product Value Realization – Governor Wang Qingxian emphasized the importance of diversifying investment mechanisms for ecological protection during a recent project inspection in Hefei.

  Zero Carbon Insight: The focus is on integrating ecological benefits with economic growth.

• 10. Daxing Promotes Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Corridor – New measures aim to establish a collaborative hydrogen energy industry in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, enhancing the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

  Zero Carbon Insight: This initiative includes support for hydrogen energy enterprises and aims for the establishment of a low-carbon logistics corridor.

2. Hydrogen Industry Developments

The Zero Carbon Research Institute’s recent report on the hydrogen industry highlights four major visions that are nearing realization within six months. These include upgrading fuel cell vehicle demonstration cities, promoting green hydrogen development, expanding hydrogen applications, and establishing a national hydrogen corridor. With support from government agencies and industry efforts, these visions are becoming a reality.

New cities, including Luliang in Shanxi and Puyang in Henan, have officially joined the national fuel cell vehicle demonstration group, showcasing significant regional capabilities and resources for hydrogen production.

Zero Carbon Insight: The current landscape of the hydrogen industry reflects a shift towards more comprehensive and robust development strategies, moving away from previous models.