China’s shale gas set for double boost

A push for more domestic production to buttress supply security and Beijing’s ambitious drive to decarbonise its economy will both supercharge the sector

All eyes are on the National People’s Congress in early March—China’s highest-profile annual political meeting—not least because this year marks the start of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) period, during which both climate change and energy security are expected to be key focuses for policy planners. On the agenda will be a review of government reports, an examination of the national economy and the 14th FYP. Greater detail of how China intends to approach both these challenges will likely emerge during and after. Chinese bureaucrats will be conscious of elevated international scrutiny over their commitment to tackling climate change after President Xi Jinping’s landmark pledge last Septe