In a bid to advance coal industry's transition toward higher efficiency and sustainability, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and relevant government departments unveiled new guidelines for clean and efficient coal utilization on December 17.

The guidelines, titled the Benchmark and Reference Levels for Key Areas of Clean and Efficient Coal Utilization (2025 Version), represent an expanded approach to managing energy efficiency and pollutant emissions across the coal sector.

Building on the 2022 version, the latest version widens the scope to include coal consumption in power generation, heating, and coal-to-gas conversion. This update further strengthens efforts to align China's coal utilization practices with global advanced standards, aiming to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and promote cleaner technologies across key coal sectors.

The policy also introduces a clearer framework for new projects and existing facilities to meet higher energy efficiency levels, targeting both benchmark and baseline standards.

For outdated facilities that fall below current standards, the focus will be on upgrading technologies, reducing emissions, and eliminating obsolete processes. The revised guidelines include deadlines for these upgrades, typically within three years, with non-compliant projects set to be phased out.

As part of this push, the government will provide stronger policy incentives and financial backing to accelerate the transformation. Central government funding will be directed toward key clean coal projects, and financial institutions will be encouraged to extend credit to low-carbon projects.

In addition, specialized equipment and technological upgrades will receive targeted subsidies to facilitate the transition.

By 2030, the government aims to significantly reduce coal's carbon footprint and improve overall utilization efficiency. The goal is to create a clean, efficient, and low-carbon coal utilization system that aligns with China's broader ecological and energy goals, supporting the country's transition to a more sustainable energy future.

An NDRC official emphasized that efforts would be made to strengthen coordination and ensure effective implementation, contributing to China's broader goal of building a safe, clean, and low-carbon energy system.