China's measurable climate policy turns 2060 goals into 2030 action

China's approach to its 2030 carbon peak and 2060 neutrality goals relies on specific, measurable targets rather than vague ambition. The 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) includes a 17% cut in carbon intensity per unit of GDP and a new indicator for the national carbon market: a 3% drop in emissions per unit of product for covered sectors like power, steel, cement, and aluminum. In 2025, carbon allowance trading hit 235 million tons, up 24% year on year, showing the market is gaining traction. The article also highlights green factories, which now account for 30% of manufacturing output and are set to reach 45% by 2030. These facilities use about two-thirds the energy of the industrial average. Clean energy exports, including EVs, batteries, and solar products, are 3.5 times 2020 levels. The piece argues that China's phased, non-disruptive transition offers a template for other developing countries, focusing on governance, market design, and adaptation alongside mitigation.