Chinese lawmakers today (Friday) approved the country’s first energy law, which will take effect on 1 January 2025.

The law, approved at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s top legislature, consists of nine chapters, including content on energy planning, energy development and use, energy market system, energy reserves, emergency response, energy technology innovation, supervision and management, and legal responsibilities.

The law, which was drafted in accordance with the Constitution, aims to promote the development of high-quality energy, ensure national energy security, promote green and low-carbon transformation and sustainable development, facilitate active and balanced efforts to achieve carbon reduction and carbon neutralisation targets, and meet the needs of building a modern socialist state.