Newsletters | Request Trial | Log in | Advertise | Digital Issue   |   Search
  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search
Related Articles
China’s oil output to scale new heights
New discoveries and stabilisation of legacy fields’ output have helped China reverse the decline and be a top-five producer in recent years
India to help Asia spearhead global refining
Shifting demand patterns leaves most populous nation primed to become downstream leader as China and the West retreat
US, Russia and China circle the Arctic
The strategic importance of vast untapped oil and gas reserves and key shipping routes has come in from the cold
Cheap gas key to unlocking new markets
Weaning poorer regions off coal means gas needs to be abundant and competitive longer term
Do not underplay China’s long-term gas growth narrative
A subdued market amid global trade tensions is just an aberration in gas’ upward trajectory
China’s critical gas position
China will play a huge role in driving gas demand, with its Qatar partnership crucial to this growth amid global structural challenges
Gas may be bridge fuel for centuries
Energy majors argue transition debate has started to factor in the complexities of demand shifts and the wider role for gas
China’s pragmatic coal-to-gas strategy
A cautious approach to coal-to-gas switching offers lessons to others who are looking to balance cost with cleaner energy
Asia proves a growing draw for Gulf players
A newly formed joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Sinopec signals rising Gulf interest in the Asian market
Bad omens for Chinese oil demand
Sino-US trade tensions could see crude consumption crumble despite recent buying behaviour
Refining and petrochemicals are expected to be enrolled this year or next
China Refining ETS
Shi Weijun
Beijing
5 May 2022
Follow @PetroleumEcon
Forward article link
Share PDF with colleagues

Chinese refiners face carbon trading risk

Beijing’s net-zero commitment means the refining and petrochemicals sector is likely to be included in the country’s ETS scheme sooner rather than later

China’s refining and petrochemicals sector—already squeezed by escalating lockdowns from a growing Covid outbreak—will need to contend with its eventual inclusion in the fledgling national carbon market, with smaller players operating older outdated plants at risk of being edged out of the industry. China—which accounted for one-third of global CO₂ emissions last year—launched its long-awaited emissions trading system (ETS) in July 2021 after repeated delays. Cumulative trading had reached 179mn t by the end of last year, with an aggregate transaction value of RMB8.1bn ($1.27bn). The system covers only the thermal power generation sector, but as this accounts for 40pc of the country’s carbon

Also in this section
Petroleum Economist: July/August 2025
3 July 2025
The July/August 2025 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
Middle East Gas Conference 2025
2 July 2025
The global energy community will converge in Dubai on 10 December for a landmark event dedicated to shaping the future of natural gas across the region
New Zealand backs gas, but results take time
30 June 2025
Government is sending out the right policy signals to support increased domestic gas development, but policy takes time to implement and even longer to yield results
Gas pricing finds a new norm
27 June 2025
Gas-on-gas competition pricing has grown its share of consumption significantly over the past two decades, primarily at the expense of oil-price-escalation pricing, according to the IGU

Share PDF with colleagues

Rich Text Editor, message-text
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PDF sharing is permitted internally for Petroleum Economist Gold Members only. Usage of this PDF is restricted by <%= If(IsLoggedIn, User.CompanyName, "")%>’s agreement with Petroleum Economist – exceeding the terms of your licence by forwarding outside of the company or placing on any external network is considered a breach of copyright. Such instances are punishable by fines of up to US$1,500 per infringement
Send

Forward article Link

Rich Text Editor, txt-link-message
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
Send
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Project Data
Maps
Podcasts
Social Links
Featured Video
Home
  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Reaching your audience
  • PE Store
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact us
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws © 2025 The Petroleum Economist Ltd
Cookie Settings
;

Search

  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search