Shandong Province has taken a pioneering step in promoting green and low-carbon development through legal measures.
Source: Dazhong Daily
Shandong Province has taken a pioneering step in promoting green and low-carbon development through legal measures. On January 18, 2025, the "Regulations on Promoting Green, Low-Carbon, and High-Quality Development in Shandong Province" were passed by the 13th session of the 14th Shandong Provincial People’s Congress. The regulations, which will come into effect on March 1, 2025, make Shandong the first in the country to adopt such legislation, filling a significant gap in national policies for green and low-carbon development.
The regulations consist of seven chapters and 54 articles, covering key areas such as general principles, industrial development, energy transformation, ecological construction, green living, and security measures. Among the key provisions related to "energy transformation," the regulations include the following:
1. The provincial government is required to accelerate the development of a new energy system to ensure energy security for green, low-carbon, and high-quality development. Additionally, local governments at or above the county level are tasked with establishing effective energy regulation systems.
2. Energy Industry and Consumption Optimization: Local governments must adopt measures to adjust and optimize the energy industry and consumption structure, promoting the replacement of fossil fuels and the upgrading of energy systems based on local conditions.
3. Electricity Consumption Structure Optimization: The provincial energy authorities are mandated to optimize the electricity consumption structure, encourage the use of green electricity, and support the development of new energy storage projects, which will play a key role in regulating the electricity grid.
Yu Mingbing, a deputy-level official at the Shandong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, stated, “The ‘Regulations’ are designed to drive reform and innovation, using legal measures to promote green and low-carbon transformation. This unique, pioneering legislation fills a significant gap in the national policy landscape and is a landmark development for Shandong’s efforts in advancing green, low-carbon, and high-quality growth.”