China proposes to strengthen cooperation on carbon standards at the World Trade Organization

Geneva, November 5th (Xinhua) - The World Trade Organization's Committee on Trade and Environment held its final meeting of the year on November 4th in Geneva, Switzerland. At the meeting, the Chinese delegation officially submitted a proposal on strengthening discussions on carbon standards cooperation in the World Trade Organization, focusing on addressing the global fragmentation of carbon standards and proposing specific paths for promoting coordinated development of trade and climate through systematic cooperation.

A total of 25 members and member groups participated in the discussion, including the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States, the Least Developed Member Group, as well as the United States, European Union, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, and others. All parties generally recognize the constructive and inclusive nature of China's proposal.

The Chinese representative pointed out that with the acceleration of the global green transformation process, the role of carbon standards in addressing climate change and regulating international trade is becoming increasingly prominent. The proposal aims to implement China's 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) target announced at the United Nations Climate Change Summit in September 2025. The target system has constructed an action framework covering multiple dimensions such as energy, industry, transportation, and urban-rural development, demonstrating China's determination to participate in global climate governance and promote the construction of a fair and effective multilateral system.

The Chinese side emphasizes that green and low-carbon transformation is the trend of the times. Green standards should become a bridge for countries to strengthen international coordination of green technologies and industries, rather than new trade barriers. The proposal is based on the existing functions of the World Trade Organization, without adding obligations or setting time limits, and strives to "let nature take its course". By strengthening information sharing, enhancing interoperability, and promoting the integration of standard systems, all parties can achieve a better balance between addressing climate change and promoting trade facilitation.

The representative of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States pointed out that the fragmentation of carbon standards poses significant challenges to developing members, especially the least developed members, and supports reducing compliance costs and avoiding the formation of new green barriers through multilateral coordination and capacity building. Representatives from Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, South Africa, Egypt and other countries believe that China's initiative to balance inclusiveness and balance will help enhance the participation of developing members in standard setting. Representatives from the European Union, Australia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and other countries expressed that the Chinese proposal provides useful ideas for improving transparency and standard consistency. Some members suggested conducting thematic discussions simultaneously in the Technical Barriers to Trade Committee to promote standard coordination and mutual recognition.

In addition, the Chinese delegation also hosted a seminar for developing members with the Geneva based think tank Forum on Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development Goals (TESS) during the conference, sharing China's latest thoughts and policy recommendations on promoting cooperation on carbon standards. Representatives from Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Barbados, Colombia, Costa Rica, Türkiye, Mozambique, the Philippines, Peru, Chile and other developing members attended and made positive speeches, which received warm responses. The Chinese side expressed its willingness to continue to work together with all parties to explore multilateral cooperation paths for coordinating green standards, respond to the common concerns of developing members, and truly benefit every part of the world from green development.