BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's national carbon market operated in a smooth and orderly manner last year, with market vitality steadily increasing, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
In 2025, a total of 3,378 key emitters were included in the carbon emission trading market's quota management, including 2,087 emitters from the power generation sector, 232 from the steel sector, 962 from the cement sector, and 97 from the aluminum smelting sector.
The trading volume of carbon emission quotas reached 235 million tonnes last year, marking an increase of 24 percent year on year, with a turnover of 14.63 billion yuan (about 2.08 billion U.S. dollars), according to the ministry.
"The national carbon market's role in promoting low-cost emission reductions has become increasingly apparent," an official with the ministry said.
The national voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading market also witnessed steady progress. By the end of December 2025, 33 voluntary emission reduction projects had been registered, involving over 17.76 million tonnes of emission reduction, and the trading volume of certified voluntary emission reductions reached nearly 9.22 million tonnes.
China officially launched its national carbon emissions trading market in July 2021, which has since evolved into the world's largest carbon market in terms of total greenhouse gas emissions traded.
The country is aiming to encompass all major industrial sectors in the carbon trading market by 2027, while the national voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading market is expected to expand to include all key fields, according to a guideline unveiled in August. ■
