【ESG News】Global Trends Biweekly Newsletter Issue 49 (2025.12.15-2025.12.28)

International ESG trends

Brazil Approves Updated National Climate Plan

The Brazilian government approved its updated National Climate Plan on December 15, committing to cut the country’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 59% to 67% by 2035, compared with the 2005 baseline. The new plan sets clear emission reduction targets across 8 key sectors including agriculture and livestock farming, energy, industry, and transportation. It aims to lower Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions from 2.04 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) in 2022 to 1.2 billion metric tons by 2030, and further reduce the figure to a range of 850 million to 1.05 billion metric tons by 2035.

Source: https://www.jiemian.com/article/13776095.html

Lianhe Green Insights

Brazil’s updated National Climate Plan demonstrates the proactive stance of emerging economies in addressing climate change, and the concrete emission reduction targets it sets reflect the country’s resolve to pursue quantified emission cuts. By incorporating key sectors such as agriculture and energy into systematic planning, the plan not only responds to international pressure for emission reduction, but also directly addresses the challenges posed by Brazil’s national context where agriculture and animal husbandry serve as the economic pillars. If fulfilled, this commitment will exert a significant impact on the global climate governance landscape – as a major developing country emitter, Brazil’s actions may drive other resource-based economies to accelerate their transition.

Mainland China ESG trends

Nine Ministries Including the Ministry of Finance Issue the Sustainability Disclosure Standard for Enterprises No. 1 – Climate (Trial)

On December 25, 2025, the Ministry of Finance and eight other government departments jointly issued the Sustainability Disclosure Standard for Enterprises No. 1 – Climate (Trial). To date, both the General Standard (Trial) and the Climate Standard (Trial) under China’s sustainability disclosure standard system for enterprises have been promulgated. The formulation of the Climate Standard (Trial) was based on comprehensive evaluations, in-depth research, joint drafting and deliberations, as well as solicitation of expert opinions. It fully embodies the standard-setting philosophy of “actively drawing on international experience, prioritizing domestic needs, embracing diverse strengths and highlighting Chinese characteristics” upheld by the General Standard (Trial).

Source: https://finance.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1225/c1004-40632313.html

Lianhe Green Insights

The issuance of the Climate Sustainability Disclosure Standard by the Ministry of Finance and eight other government departments, which achieves systematic alignment with the General Standard, marks China’s advancement into an in-depth phase of developing its sustainability disclosure standards system. Balancing international convergence and local characteristics, the standards will drive a further shift toward quantitative and comparable corporate information disclosure, guide the flow of green capital, lay a solid institutional foundation for the realization of the “dual carbon” goals, and facilitate the standardized development of green transition.

Adoption of the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China

On December 27, the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China was revised and adopted at the 19th Session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, and shall come into force on March 1, 2026. Article 61 of the Foreign Trade Law explicitly stipulates that the state shall accelerate the development of a green trade system, encourage the import and export of green and low-carbon products, promote the establishment of product standards, certification and labeling systems related to green trade, and strengthen international cooperation on green trade.

Source:

https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/zwgk/zcfb/art/2025/art_03fbae1ec4bd48459099930e803bce5e.html

Lianhe Green Insights

The inclusion of new green trade provisions in the updated Foreign Trade Law marks the deep integration of green development into China’s opening-up framework. This move is not only a proactive response to global climate governance, but also an effort to drive the green upgrading of industrial chains through institutional innovation. By establishing systems for standards, certification and international cooperation, the “green content” of China’s foreign trade is expected to be transformed into a new driver of high-quality development.

Official Release of China’s First Hydrogen - related CCER Methodology

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in conjunction with the National Energy Administration, issued the Methodology for Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Projects – Renewable Energy-powered Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production. This marks China’s first China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) methodology in the hydrogen energy sector.

Source: 全国首个氢能领域CCER方法学正式发布_中国氢能联盟

Lianhe Green Insights

This methodology serves as an important technical basis for green hydrogen projects in China to participate in the national voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction mechanism (CCER). It marks a key breakthrough in the market-oriented conversion of the environmental benefits of green hydrogen, and injects new impetus into the green and low-carbon development of the hydrogen energy industry.