“Beautiful China” 15th Five-Year Plan
July 24, 2026
China Macro Group | policy · business · strategy
What it is
Issued by the State Council, the environmental plan for 2026 to 2030 sets new national PM2.5 goals by 2035, expands the national carbon market to more industries, and pilots a new environmental protection tax for certain chemical emissions.
Why it matters
The plan expands market-based instruments, including carbon trading and green finance products, with continued top-down accountability, under which provinces bear primary responsibility.
Implications
Medium-High. Firms in high emission sectors will likely face rising compliance costs as the carbon market widens, while the addressable market for environmental monitoring, emissions testing, and green finance services are set to grow through 2030.
Author:
Max de Bruyn Gomez
Analyst at CMG