China’s Draft Rules for Carbon Trading Debated as Emissions Rise

A proposed regulatory framework for an already-delayed carbon emissions cap-and-trade system is raising questions about whether China will be able to dent rising greenhouse gas emissions.

China, the world’s leading emitter of carbon dioxide, announced a phase-in program for its carbon trading system at the end of 2017, but release of regulations on how it will function has slowed to a trickle.

A draft regulation on carbon trading, released on April 3 by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, is open for public comment until May 2.

While China appears to still be on track meet its Paris commitment to ...