Ministry of Ecology and Environment responds to Shen Guojun's 2021 Political Consultative Conference proposal

Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has responded to the proposal submitted by Shen Guojun, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, founder and chairman of Yintai Group, and executive chairman of Taohuayuan Ecological Protection Foundation, at the 2021 Two Sessions on enhancing the position of ocean carbon sinks in the national "carbon neutrality" strategy. The reply stated that the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will seriously consider relevant suggestions and promote the establishment of a sound marine carbon sink standard system that is in line with international standards and has Chinese characteristics.

In order to further strengthen China's marine ecological protection and restoration work, and achieve China's independent contribution goal of "carbon neutrality" as soon as possible, member Shen Guojun suggested in the proposal to include blue carbon sinks in China's national independent contribution to addressing climate change, and to guide and encourage Chinese enterprises and institutions to use blue carbon sinks as an important way to achieve "carbon neutrality"; In the national carbon market, include blue carbon sinks in the national voluntary emission reduction certification, participate in the offsetting mechanism of national carbon emission trading, and participate in voluntary emission reduction trading; Develop blue carbon sink methodology suitable for China's national conditions, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, etc.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with the Ministry of Natural Resources, conducted in-depth discussions on the proposal put forward by Member Shen Guojun and provided a positive response.

In response to the suggestion to include blue carbon sinks in the national voluntary emission reduction certification, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment stated that it will continue to work hard to improve the greenhouse gas voluntary emission reduction trading system, revise the "Interim Measures for the Management of Greenhouse Gas Voluntary Emission Reduction Trading", study the relevant methodology of blue carbon sink projects, further play the role of market mechanisms, and support the development of low-carbon and zero carbon projects such as blue carbon sinks while encouraging high carbon industries to actively reduce emissions.

Regarding the proposal to develop a blue carbon sink methodology suitable for China and strengthen international exchange and cooperation in the field of blue carbon sinks, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment stated that it will promote the establishment and improvement of a marine carbon sink standard system that is in line with international standards and has Chinese characteristics, promote the localization of international standards for carbon sinks in ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes, and explore and study technical standards for carbon sinks in shellfish and algae fisheries and microbial carbon sinks. Actively participate in multi-level international cooperation on ocean carbon sinks, promote China's concepts, technologies, and practical methods in ocean carbon sinks, and contribute Chinese solutions and wisdom to the global response to climate change.

For a long time, member Shen Guojun has been enthusiastic about various public welfare and charity undertakings such as ecological environment protection, and has submitted proposals to the CPPCC for ecological environment protection for several consecutive years. In 2018, member Shen Guojun suggested that the country vigorously promote the construction of ecological protection areas; In 2019, member Shen Guojun further proposed suggestions on the construction of ecological protection servitude rights; In 2020, member Shen Guojun actively proposed ways to explore social participation models for public welfare governance, community governance, and joint governance, which were highly recognized by relevant departments such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and the State Forestry Administration.

Shen Guojun stated that he will continue to pay attention to and devote himself to ecological protection construction, actively practice the green development strategy of the Party and the country, conscientiously fulfill the sacred responsibilities entrusted to him by the Party and the government, constantly explore and innovate ways and means for public welfare organizations and social capital to participate in natural resource protection, and promote the development of public welfare environmental protection with the concept of shared value and platform ideology.