Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment responded to the “Proposal on Elevating the Position of Marine Carbon Sinks in the National Carbon Neutral Strategy” submitted by Mr. Shen Guojun, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Founder and Chairman of Yintai Group, and Executive Chairman of the Paradise International Foundation, at the 2021 Two Sessions (annual conferences of the National People's Congress (NPC) and CPPCC National Committee). The Ministry stated in its reply that it will seriously consider the suggestions and promote the establishment of a marine carbon sink standard system that is in line with international standards and has Chinese characteristics.

With the further strengthening of the protection and restoration of China’s marine ecology and the realization of China’s carbon neutral and independent contribution goal as soon as possible in mind, Mr. Shen suggested in the proposal the inclusion of blue carbon sinks in China’s contribution to the fight against climate change, guiding and encouraging Chinese companies and institutions to adopt blue carbon sinks as an important way to achieve carbon neutrality. The proposal put forward the inclusion of blue carbon sinks in the national certified voluntary emission reductions in the national carbon market, allowing them to participate in the national carbon emission rights offset mechanism and voluntary emission reduction transactions. It also called for the development of a blue carbon sink methodology that suits China’s national conditions, and the strengthening of international exchanges and cooperation.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment conducted an in-depth discussion on the proposal with the Ministry of Natural Resources and responded positively.

In response to the proposal to include blue carbon sinks in the national certified voluntary emission reductions, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment stated that it will continue to improve the voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading system, amend the "Interim Measures for the Management of Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Transactions", study the relevant methodology of blue carbon sink projects to give further play to 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 call for the development of a blue carbon sink methodology suitable for China and the strengthening of international exchanges and cooperation, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment stated that it will promote the establishment of a sound marine carbon sink standard system that is in line with international standards and has Chinese characteristics. It will promote the Sinicization of international standards for carbon sinks in mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes, and explore and study the technical standards for carbon sinks in shellfish and algae fisheries and microbial carbon sinks. It will also 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 Chinese wisdom to the global fight against climate change.

For a long time, Mr. Shen has been passionate about ecological and environmental protection and other public welfare and charities, and has submitted CPPCC proposals for ecological and environmental protection for many years in running. In 2018, he proposed that the country vigorously promote the construction of ecological protection areas. In 2019, he further put forward suggestions on the construction of ecological protection easements. In 2020, he provided active input on the "exploration of the social participation model for public welfare governance, community governance and common governance". All his views have been highly recognized by relevant departments such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Mr. Shen said that he will continue to pay attention to and devote himself to the construction of ecological protection, actively implement the party and the country's green development strategy, earnestly perform the sacred responsibilities of the party and the government, continue to explore and innovate the ways and means for public welfare organizations and social capital to participate in the protection of natural resources, and promote the development of public welfare and environmental protection with shared values and platform ideas.