China has launched its first national corporate climate disclosure standard, marking a significant step towards building a unified sustainability reporting framework for the country’s economy.
The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China, together with other ministries and financial regulators, formally issued Corporate Sustainable Disclosure Standard No. 1 – Climate (Trial) on 25 December 2025. The standard was jointly released by authorities including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the People’s Bank of China.
The new framework sets out a common set of requirements for companies to disclose climate-related impacts, risks and strategic responses, laying the groundwork for a national system of corporate sustainability reporting.
Under the standard, companies are expected to report across four core pillars — governance, strategy, risk and opportunity management, and metrics and targets — broadly aligned with the structure of the International Sustainability Standards Board standards. Disclosures are set to include Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions, as well as transition plans and climate targets.
At this stage, the framework is being introduced as a voluntary, trial measure. Authorities have indicated that implementation will be phased, beginning with voluntary adoption before progressing towards mandatory and more quantitative disclosure requirements. Larger and listed companies are expected to be prioritised in the early stages, with the framework later extended to smaller and non-listed firms.
While designed to be internationally comparable, the standard also incorporates domestic policy priorities, including a stronger emphasis on climate-related impacts and alignment with China’s national climate and development strategies.
The government said the introduction of a standardised and transparent disclosure system is intended to help channel capital towards credible green projects, curb greenwashing and support the country’s low-carbon transition. Sector-specific guidance is expected to follow, with tailored requirements for industries such as steel, power generation and cement.
