Sui Huan Gui Zi [2023] No. 3

All relevant units,

　　As part of the effort to implement Xi Jinping’s thought of ecological civilization, promote green and low-carbon lifestyle, and deepen carbon emission reduction in Guangzhou, according to the ManagementMeasures of Guangdong Province on Trading for Inclusive Carbon Emission Reduction and the Regulations of Guangzhou Municipality on Ecological Environment Protection, this bureau formulates the Measures of Guangzhou Municipality forImplementing Guangzhou Certified Emission Reduction based on the actual needs of Guangzhou. It is now printed and distributed. Please comply with and implement it.

Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau

January 31, 2023

Measures of Guangzhou Municipality for Implementing Guangzhou Certified Emission Reduction

　　Article 1 In order to implement Xi Jinping’s thought of ecological civilization, promote green and low-carbon lifestyle, support carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and deepen carbon emission reduction in Guangzhou, according to the ManagementMeasures of Guangdong Province on Trading for Inclusive Carbon Emission Reduction and the Regulations of Guangzhou Municipality on Ecological Environment Protection, these Measures are formulated based on the actual needs of Guangzhou.

　　Article 2 The management of the Guangzhou Certified Emission Reduction (GZCER) program should follow the principles of integrity, standardization, quantification, extensive benefits to the people, openness and transparency.

　　Article 3 Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau is the competent department for carbon emission reduction in Guangzhou, responsible for reviewing and managing Guangzhou carbon emission reduction methodology, carbon emission reduction programs and GZCER.

　　All departments directly under Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government should encourage and support the development and implementation of Guangzhou carbon emission reduction methodology and GZCER according to their functional scope.

　　Article 4 Relying on the GZCER registration platform of Guangzhou Emissions Exchange, Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau registers and manages the establishment, change and cancellation of GZCER, and carries out GZCER trading.

　　Article 5 Low-carbon behaviors that have a broad public foundation and data support, reflect ecological public value, enjoy promotion priority in Guangzhou or have strong demonstrative value are advised to be used to develop Guangzhou carbon emission reduction methodology.

　　Article 6 Natural persons, legal persons or non-legal person organizations may compile Guangzhou carbon emission reduction methodology and report it to Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau.

　　After receiving a written application, Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau should accept the application with complete materials and meet related conditions, and authorize experts to evaluate and demonstrate the application. According to evaluation opinions issued by experts, a scientific and reasonable methodology with complete conditions should be registered as Guangzhou carbon emission reduction methodology, and released to the public timely.

　　Article 7 A methodology registered as Guangzhou carbon emission reduction methodology should be declared as Guangdong carbon emission reduction methodology by Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau as applied by the organization which compiles it. Declaration as Guangdong carbon emission reduction methodology should be carried out in accordance with relevant provincial regulations.

　　Article 8 Natural persons, legal persons or non-legal organizations should join carbon emission reduction on a voluntary basis. As the owner of the carbon emission reduction program, they should prepare declaration materials according to Guangzhou carbon emission reduction methodology and declare GZCER to Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau in writing.

　　If a relevant legal person organization is authorized to declare GZCER, an authorization agreement should be signed to clarify responsibilities and rights of each party. The owner of the carbon emission reduction program or the person to be authorized should publicize key information such as program consulting services and interest distribution to stakeholders before declaration, and the period of publicity should not be less than 7 working days.

　　Article 9 The approved GZCER will be publicized on the website of Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau and the GZCER registration platform for 7 days. After the period of publicity expires, it will be registered if there is no objections. Registered emission reduction is called “Guangzhou Certified Emission Reduction (GZCER)”.

　　If an objection is raised by an organization or the public during the period of publicity, and it is verified through investigation that there are repeated declarations, illegal occupation of other people’s resources, false programs, etc., the decision to refuse registration should be made.

　　Declaration for Guangdong Certified Emission Reduction (GDCER) should be carried out according to relevant provincial regulations.

　　Article 10 Those who apply for GZCER should promise not to repeatedly apply for a certified greenhouse gas emission reduction mechanism at home and abroad or a green power trading or green power certificate.

　　Article 11 Natural persons, legal persons or non-legal organizations are encouraged to join carbon neutrality, and buy GZCER to offset carbon emissions from production and operation, living consumption (clothing, food, housing, transportation and daily necessities), and large-scale events (performances, competitions, forums, exhibitions, conferences, etc.).

　　Article 12 GZCER used to offset carbon emissions or contribute to carbon neutrality should be canceled on the GZCER registration platform.

　　Article 13 Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau regularly organizes the selection of outstanding GZCER subjects and cases. Major selection contents include GZCER emission reduction effect, the amount of purchased GZCER, the amount of carbon offset or carbon neutrality, and social impact. Selection methods and criteria will be formulated separately and published in public channels as stipulated in 14. of these Measures.

　　For those awarded as outstanding GZCER subjects or cases, Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau will give appropriate encouragement in the annual enterprise environmental credit evaluation. Relevant municipal-level industry departments will also give appropriate encouragement in evaluation, program approval and fund allocation.

　　Financial institutions are encouraged to develop carbon emission reduction tools, products and services for carbon emission reduction, GZCER programs and carbon neutrality campaigns, reduce financing costs of carbon emission reduction programs, and offer personal carbon accounts and carbon credit cards.

　　Article 14 Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau regularly publishes relevant information on its portal website, official WeChat account (Guangzhou Ecological Environment (GZEE)) and GZCER registration platform, including:

　　14.1 registered Guangzhou carbon emission reduction methodology;

　　14.2 registered amount of GZCER and its cancellation;

　　14.3 outstanding GZCER subjects or cases;

　　14.4 related incentive policies and measures, etc.

　　Article 15 Efforts will be made to explore carbon emission reduction cooperation with other provinces, cities, Hong Kong and Macao, and actively link up with relevant mechanisms such as carbon emission trading mechanisms and certified greenhouse gas emission reduction mechanisms.

　　Article 16 Meanings of the following terms in these Measures:

　　16.1 Carbon emission reduction refers to the use of relevant business incentives, policy incentives and trading mechanisms to promote social participation in carbon emission reduction, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sinks.

　　16.2 Carbon emission reduction methodology refers to guidelines on identifying and accounting for carbon emission reduction from low-carbon activities based on a carbon emission reduction mechanism.

　　16.3 Greenhouse gases refer to natural and artificial gaseous components that the atmosphere absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃).

　　16.4 Carbon emissions and emission reduction are short for greenhouse gas emissions and emission reduction.

　　16.5 Carbon neutrality refers to the action taken by government organs, enterprises, public institutions, social organizations and individuals to offset greenhouse gas emissions by means of energy conservation, emission reduction, afforestation and purchase of emission reduction after measuring the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced directly or indirectly by production, living or activities over a given period of time.

　　Article 17 These Measures should be interpreted by Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau.

　　Article 18 These Measures should come into force as of March 1, 2023 and be valid for 5 years.