Refining and petrochemicals are expected to be enrolled this year or next
Chinese refiners face carbon trading risk
Beijing’s net-zero commitment means the refining and petrochemicals sector is likely to be included in the country’s ETS scheme sooner rather than later
China’s refining and petrochemicals sector—already squeezed by escalating lockdowns from a growing Covid outbreak—will need to contend with its eventual inclusion in the fledgling national carbon market, with smaller players operating older outdated plants at risk of being edged out of the industry. China—which accounted for one-third of global CO₂ emissions last year—launched its long-awaited emissions trading system (ETS) in July 2021 after repeated delays. Cumulative trading had reached 179mn t by the end of last year, with an aggregate transaction value of RMB8.1bn ($1.27bn). The system covers only the thermal power generation sector, but as this accounts for 40pc of the country’s carbon
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
