The Climate Action Reserve is developing a China Adipic Acid Production Protocol. This protocol will provide guidance on how to quantify, monitor, report, and verify nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission reductions at adipic acid production facilities in China. In 2015, annual global production was estimated at over 3 million metric tons, with China and the United States representing the two largest sources of global production. Although growth of adipic acid production has slowed in the U.S., production in China is projected to grow at 5.5%, faster than any other nation. With N₂O having a global warming potential 273 times that of CO₂, the China Adipic Acid Production Protocol will incentivize the installation and use of N₂O emission control technology to reduce N₂O emissions.

Version 1.0

The protocol will be presented to the Reserve Board of Directors for consideration for adoption at the October 4, 2023 Board meeting.

• China Adipic Acid Production Protocol – for board consideration (English | Mandarin)

Public Comment Period

Public comment was held from August 18 to September 18, 2023. See below for the draft protocol released in August 2023, the summary of comments and responses from Reserve staff, as well as the submitted comments in their entirety.

• China Adipic Acid Production Protocol Public Comment Draft (English | Mandarin)

Summary of Comments and Responses (English | Mandarin)

• Alison Tyndall (ClimeCo LLC)

China Adipic Acid Production Protocol Public Comment Webinar
The Reserve held a public comment webinar on September 6, 2023 to discuss the draft protocol in detail and solicit public comment.

The webinar recording is available in English and Mandarin. Select the language of your choice by clicking on the Language (lined globe) icon on the bottom right menu.

• Webinar recording
• Presentation slides (English | Mandarin)

Local Stakeholder Engagement

The Reserve seeks to engage stakeholders throughout the China Adipic Acid Production Protocol development process to identify and incorporate applicable laws, norms, and conditions applicable to the adipic acid industry in China. Stakeholders interested in the protocol process should complete the Local Engagement form below and submit it to [email protected] to help ensure that you receive the appropriate notifications for public engagement opportunities during protocol development.

• Local Engagement form (English | Mandarin)

Workgroup

The China Adipic Acid Production Protocol is being developed through the Reserve’s multi-stakeholder workgroup process. The Reserve strives to create a well-balanced workgroup consisting of industry representatives, project developers, environmental NGOs, verification bodies, independent consultants, academia, and government bodies.

Workgroup members are listed below:

Stakeholders not in the workgroup are encouraged to participate in the process as “observers.” Observers may attend workgroup meetings in listen-only mode, submit written comments on the draft methodology when it is available for public comment, and attend the public webinar(s) held during the public comment period.

Workgroup Meetings

Meetings & recordings are available with interpretations in English and Mandarin. Select the language of your choice by clicking on the Language (lined globe) icon on the bottom right menu.

Workgroup Meeting 2
June 15, 2023 (USA) | June 16, 2023 (Beijing)

• Meeting recording
• Presentation slides (English | Mandarin)
• Notes and takeaways (English | Mandarin)
   
• China Adipic Acid Production Protocol Workgroup Draft (July 27, 2023) (English | Mandarin)

Workgroup Meeting 1
May 24, 2023 (USA) | May 25, 2023 (Beijing)

• Meeting recording
• Presentation slides (English | Mandarin)
• Notes and takeaways (English | Mandarin)
   
• China Adipic Acid Production Protocol Workgroup Draft (March 6, 2023) (English | Mandarin)

Kickoff Webinar

The Reserve held a public webinar on March 6, 2023, to kickoff the development of the China Adipic Acid Production Protocol.

The webinar recording is available with interpretations in English and Mandarin. Select the language of your choice by clicking on the Language (lined globe) icon on the bottom right menu.

• Webinar recording
• Presentation slides (English | Mandarin)

Development Timeline

The following timeline will be updated as the protocol development process unfolds.

Technical and Financial Support

Partial funding and technical support were provided by ClimeCo.