Six departments: Enhance the benchmark level of clean and efficient utilization of coal, strengthen the leading role of benchmark level and the constraining role of benchmark level.

On December 17th, the National Development and Reform Commission and five other departments issued a notice on the release of the "Benchmark Level and Baseline Level of Coal Clean and Efficient Utilization in Key Areas (2025 Edition)". It mentioned that, based on the benchmark and baseline levels of energy efficiency in key areas set before, coal consumption for coal-fired power generation and heating, as well as coal-to-gas conversion, will be included. Benchmarking against the advanced levels of clean and efficient coal utilization both domestically and internationally, as well as the advanced energy efficiency indicators and strict pollutant emission requirements in current national and local policies and standards, the benchmark level of clean and efficient coal utilization will be improved. By referring to the entry or limit values in current national standards and the relevant indicators specified in national policy documents, the baseline level of clean and efficient coal utilization will be scientifically determined. The benchmark level and baseline level of clean and efficient coal utilization in key areas will be dynamically adjusted in response to industry development and standard revision, enhancing the leading role of benchmark levels and the constraining role of baseline levels. The document goes on to detail the expansion of key areas, the implementation of upgrade and renovation efforts, as well as the increased policy support to accelerate the transformation and upgrading of the coal industry towards cleaner and more efficient utilization. This notice shall take effect from the date of issuance and the notice on the release of the "Benchmark Level and Baseline Level of Coal Clean and Efficient Utilization in Key Areas (2022 Edition)" issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and other relevant departments (Development and Reform Operation [2022] No. 559) shall be simultaneously revoked. Issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, State Administration for Market Regulation, and National Energy Administration on November 24, 2025.