EU Bans Product Carbon Neutrality Claims Based on Carbon Offsetting; China Sets Out Plans for a Power System with a High Share of Renewable Energy
(2026/10/05—2026/10/11)
Author：Hao-Wang
International Energy News
1. EU Bans Product Carbon Neutrality Claims Based on Carbon Offsetting
The EU’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive has applied since September 27, 2026. It prohibits businesses from making consumer-facing claims that goods or services are carbon neutral, achieve net-zero emissions or have a reduced climate impact based on carbon offsetting. The rules also ban generic environmental claims unsupported by recognised excellent environmental performance and require sustainability labels to be established by public authorities or based on compliant certification schemes.
Businesses may still promote genuine, verifiable emissions reductions achieved within a product’s life cycle and transparently disclose investments in carbon credit projects. Claims about future carbon neutrality targets must be supported by publicly available, realistic implementation plans and measurable milestones, with regular verification by independent third parties. Environmental marketing by new energy vehicle and energy storage companies targeting EU consumers must also comply with these requirements.
2. UN Approves Two Clean Cooking Methodologies and Strengthens Emissions Accounting
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change recently announced that the Supervisory Body of the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.4 mechanism had approved two clean cooking methodologies, supporting household cooking energy transitions and improved cookstove efficiency. Around 2.1 billion people worldwide still rely on open fires or inefficient stoves using polluting fuels. The methodologies provide eligible projects with a pathway into the UN carbon crediting mechanism, supporting reductions in fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and household air pollution.
The Supervisory Body also approved the first version of a reversal risk assessment tool for clean cooking and other activities that reduce the use of non-renewable biomass. The rules specify requirements for emissions accounting, monitoring and verification before credit issuance, emphasising genuine and additional emissions reductions calculated conservatively. Some cookstove projects have previously faced criticism for overstating emissions reductions. Sustained stove use, actual fuel savings and households’ use of multiple stoves remain key factors in improving carbon credit credibility.
3. Rising Energy Prices Weigh on German Consumer Confidence
A recent survey released by Germany’s Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions showed that rising energy prices had weakened households’ purchasing power expectations. The consumer climate index forecast for October fell by 3.8 points to minus 30.6, from a revised minus 26.8 in September. The income expectations index dropped by 16.7 points to minus 15.0, its lowest level since April 2026, reflecting growing caution about household income prospects over the next 12 months.
The willingness-to-save index rose by 6 points to 21.5, reaching its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, with particularly pronounced increases among financially better-off households. The willingness-to-buy index declined by 1 point to minus 10.8, remaining historically low. Although economic expectations improved for the fifth consecutive month, energy costs continued to weigh on consumer confidence. The survey covered approximately 2,000 consumers and was conducted from September 3 to 14.
Domestic Energy News
1. China Sets Out Plans for a Power System with a High Share of Renewable Energy
The recently released Opinions on Developing New Quality Productive Forces call for building a power system with a high share of renewable energy, improving policies for renewable energy integration and system operation, and developing advanced nuclear fission energy in an orderly manner, in support of China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. The document also calls for demonstrations and wider adoption of major applications to accelerate the transition to greener energy use in production and daily life. It supports businesses in upgrading traditional industries with green technologies and advancing green manufacturing.
The document identifies hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy as priorities for future industries. It calls for exploring diverse technological approaches, applications and viable business models, establishing mechanisms for sustained investment growth and risk sharing, and using existing fiscal policies to encourage continued investment from private capital. It also promotes the development of new energy, new materials and intelligent connected new energy vehicles, advancing energy technology innovation alongside industrial applications.
2. China’s National Development and Reform Commission Promotes Earlier Project Starts and Stronger Energy Supply Security
China’s National Development and Reform Commission recently held a symposium with private enterprises, including businesses in petrochemicals and natural gas supply, to discuss their operations. The meeting called for major projects identified in the 15th Five-Year Plan and implementation plans for the six infrastructure networks to begin construction as early as possible in the fourth quarter, helping unlock domestic demand. It also stressed coordination between existing and additional policies and closer integration of technological and industrial innovation.
Amid volatility in global energy markets, relevant authorities have maintained stable and orderly oil and gas supplies through measures including stabilising production, diversifying imports and temporary price regulation. Further efforts will strengthen energy and resource supply security, improve the stability of industrial production and supply, regularly introduce investment opportunities to private capital, and support private enterprises in developing application scenarios. Participating companies offered suggestions on major project implementation, commodity imports and exports, and maintaining orderly markets.
3. Expressway EV Charging Volume Rises 49.39% in the First Three Days of China’s National Day Holiday
Data from China’s National Energy Administration showed strong demand for new energy vehicle charging on expressways from October 1 to 3. Statistics from 62,700 expressway charging points connected to the national charging infrastructure monitoring platform recorded 2.9686 million charging sessions, averaging 989,500 per day. This represented an increase of 48.41% compared with the same period of the previous year’s National Day holiday, reflecting continued growth in long-distance travel by new energy vehicles.
Electricity delivered through expressway charging facilities during the period reached 71.6193 million kilowatt-hours, averaging 23.8731 million kilowatt-hours per day, up 49.39% year on year. Charging infrastructure operated smoothly during the first three days of the holiday, while the share of greener travel continued to rise. In preparation for the peak in return journeys, the National Energy Administration said it would work with relevant parties to strengthen operational coordination and monitoring and maintain charging services for new energy vehicle users.
(Main news sources: CCTVNEWS APP, International Energy Network, China Energy Network, National Energy Administration, China Energy News)
