Outside, temperatures plunged to minus 30 degrees Celsius, yet indoors, warmth enveloped like spring. To ensure uninterrupted heating for residents during the cold wave, technicians at a Harbin-based thermal power company monitored real-time data from the heat supply network, guaranteeing stable system operations.
For thermal power companies, providing heat must go hand in hand with meticulous "energy-saving and carbon reduction" accounting. As a major utility provider, the aforementioned company is listed among China's key carbon market emitters, requiring timely quota settlement and carbon market compliance. "We opened a carbon account with China's Industrial Bank (CIB), which leverages our emissions data to provide financial services and facilitate carbon quota procurement," explained a company representative.
A carbon account, serving as a record of an entity's carbon footprint, emission rights boundaries, and reduction contributions, is a vital tool for implementing the dual-carbon strategic goals. As early as 2023, CIB launched its enterprise-level "Carbon Brain"—the Dual-Carbon Management Platform, which opens carbon accounts for clients. Utilizing advanced technologies such as big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, it enables precise monitoring and digitalized, intelligent management of carbon-related data including emissions, reductions, and assets. The platform achieves systematic innovation by deeply integrating environmental principles, cutting-edge technologies, innovative mechanisms, and policy guidance to address common demands across carbon finance scenarios. To date, it has established 16,800 corporate carbon accounts, empowering enterprises to effectively manage their "carbon reduction" accounting.
Expanding Carbon Finance with "Carbon Brain"
Building on the corporate carbon account system within the Dual-Carbon Management Platform, CIB introduced its first comprehensive CEA (Carbon Emission Allowance) compliance service package in Harbin, specifically designed for the platform. Concurrently, the bank rolled out carbon finance solutions tailored to diverse client needs nationwide, assessing corporate metrics such as carbon reduction performance, carbon asset holdings, and carbon management practices to streamline compliance financing.
In Qinghai, Xining's Ganhe Industrial Park has developed a nonferrous metallurgy-focused industrial ecosystem in recent years, capitalizing on the region's abundant mineral resources. A commitment to green development permeates the park's pristine facilities, with sustainable practices evident throughout. Ganhe Industrial Park has earned national recognition as a Circular Economy Transformation Pilot Zone, a First-Batch Low-Carbon Industrial Park Pilot, and a National Green Industrial Park.
To harmonize industry development with eco-conservation, CIB deployed Qinghai's first "dual-performance-linked" green loan (with rates tied to both carbon reductions and hazardous waste disposal) under its carbon account system within the park. The funds are exclusively allocated to support the optimization and upgrade project of a 2,500-ton-per-day cement kiln co-processing system for hazardous waste treatment. The loan interest rate is dynamically adjusted based on the enterprise's actual carbon reduction performance and hazardous waste processing volume, creating strong incentives for low-carbon and environmentally friendly operations. This approach has demonstrated remarkable economic returns while delivering substantial ecological benefits.
Furthermore, leveraging the Dual-Carbon Management Platform, CIB executed Northeast China's first "carbon control-linked" loan in Heilongjiang and revitalized a steel manufacturer's "green assets" through carbon accounting in Fujian, accelerating industrial green transformation and high-quality ecological economic development. In 2024, CIB facilitated over RMB 15.8 billion in carbon reduction-linked loans through the Dual-Carbon Management Platform, effectively addressing corporate carbon asset management requirements.
Comprehensive Services: Toward Holistic Stewardship
Carbon account data from the Dual Carbon Management Platform also establishes robust quantitative benchmarks for integrated services like carbon reduction consulting. Capitalizing on its research expertise, CIB has established dedicated dual-carbon service teams and carbon advisory units. Relying on the platform's multifunctional capabilities, these groups deliver specialized carbon management services to corporate clients. In Leshan, CIB signed a comprehensive carbon financial services agreement with a national carbon market emission-controlled enterprise. The collaboration focuses on compliance management, quota trial calculations and trading, and carbon emission data management, aiming to unlock integrated carbon reduction potential across the enterprise group's chemical, power generation, photovoltaic, and wastewater treatment operations, provide the enterprise with comprehensive solutions including carbon quota, CCER financing services and transaction facilitation, and help the enterprise achieve scientific carbon asset management while preserving and enhancing the value of its carbon assets.
In Wuhan, CIB partnered with the China Carbon Emissions Registration and Clearing Co., Ltd (CRC) to launch the "CRC-CIB Carbon Market Allowance Spot Pledge Price Index," which aggregates and analyzes carbon account data from the Dual Carbon Management Platform users, tracking carbon allowance valuation trends. The Bank also executed the nation's first index-referenced loan for carbon quota purchases, enabling enterprises to capitalize on carbon price fluctuations and maximize carbon asset value.
Leveraging data on carbon emissions and intensity recorded by the Dual Carbon Management Platform, CIB offers clients a comprehensive suite of non-financial services including carbon auditing, carbon advisory, emission reduction planning, and ESG consulting. In 2024, CIB provided ESG advisory and roadshow services to multiple listed companies including Oriental Energy and Purui Times. The Bank also delivered customized carbon management solutions based on corporate carbon accounts, supporting enterprises' green and high-quality development through integrated financial and intellectual support.
Tracking "Carbon Footprints" to Pave a Shared Green Path
As a pioneer in China's carbon finance sector, CIB remains committed to sustainable development principles. Through its Dual-Carbon Management Platform, the bank actively promotes green and low-carbon concepts while steering the real economy's transition towards green and low-carbon practices.
For individual users, opening personal carbon accounts through the Dual-Carbon Management Platform enables quantification and tracking of lifestyle-related carbon emissions. This enhances users' awareness of their carbon footprints while providing access to carbon reduction initiatives and trading opportunities, incentivizing clients to translate environmental consciousness into concrete actions.
For construction of national and regional carbon markets, CIB utilizes the platform's carbon data accounting capabilities to enhance its dual-carbon financial services system through fundamental transaction services and product innovation. Concurrently, the bank assists key emission-controlled enterprises in completing third compliance period allowance settlement processes, facilitating their low-carbon transition.
For internal green operations, CIB continues to strengthen its operational carbon monitoring platform. By identifying key emission sources and guiding branches in implementing energy-saving and emission-reduction measures, the bank precisely enhances its green operation and carbon management system capabilities while systematically advancing its own carbon reduction initiatives.