[Policy Update] State Council Issues Revised "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Nature Reserves"

📰 News Highlight

The State Council issued the revised “Regulations on Nature Reserves” (Decree No. 830), marking a milestone in China’s ecological civilization. The update strengthens biodiversity protection, modernizes management for “harmony between humanity and nature,” and will take effect March 15, 2026, replacing the 1994 version.

⚙️ Core Components

1.       Classification & Zoning: Nature reserves are national or provincial, with strict limits on human activity, allowing only research, ecological restoration, and basic livelihoods.

2.       Unified Framework: Integrates protection of all ecosystems with standard technical, funding, and digital monitoring systems.

3.       Protection–Development Balance: Combines ecological conservation with social benefits via resource use, community support, ecological compensation, and public participation.

💡 Key Takeaways

1.       From Passive Protection to Active Governance: Shifts from simple “fencing off” protection to systematic restoration, integrating nature reserve planning into national territorial spatial planning.

2.       Market-Friendly Ecological Innovation: Encourages diversified funding and scientific resource use, creating opportunities in green finance, ecological restoration, environmental monitoring, and sustainable tourism.

3.       Global Alignment on Biodiversity: Implements commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by strengthening ecological corridors and key habitat restoration within national legislation.

[Market Update] Ningde Government and CATL Launch “Zero-Carbon & Tech” Bay City Partnership

📰 News Highlight

The Ningde Municipal Government and CATL signed a “Zero-Carbon & Tech” Bay City Strategic Cooperation Agreement, launching 33 initiatives in areas such as headquarters development, battery R&D, manufacturing expansion, and a zero-carbon ecosystem, supported by policies on talent, education, healthcare, and IP protection to build a global new energy hub.

💡 Key Takeaways

1.       Zero-Carbon Urban Hub: By integrating urban planning with the global headquarters and R&D of CATL, Ningde aims to transform from a manufacturing base into a technology-driven “green hub” for the battery industry.

2.       Supply Chain Magnet: Leveraging CATL’s leadership in power and energy storage batteries, Ningde seeks to attract upstream and downstream enterprises, forming a dense industrial cluster and enhancing supply chain resilience and global competitiveness.

[Carbon Market]

During March 2 – March 6, the total transaction volume of Carbon Emission Allowances (CEA) in Chinese National Carbon Market reached 14,982,306 tons, with a total transaction value of USD 160,041,604.84. The highest price was USD 11.85/ton, and the lowest price was USD 11.66/ton. For bulk agreement transactions, the volume was 400,000 tons, with a transaction value of USD 4,696,200.50.