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The article reports on Chinese president Xi Jinping's September 2015 announcement of plans for a Chinese national emissions-trading system to limit greenhouse-gas production. The plan is related to a 2014 climate change agreement between the U.S. and China. Details on other joint environmental plans by China and the U.S. are presented. It is suggested that the cap-and-trade program could contribute to the development of a global climate pact ahead of United Nations (UN) climate talks in December 2015.

In this article, the author mentions that China should upgrade its climate policy from reducing carbon intensity to setting a long-term cap on total emissions. Topics discussed include carbon dioxide mitigation, plans of the U.S. to cut carbon pollution from power plants and carbon emissions in China. It mentions that China should delink the relation between economic growth and emissions.

The author reflects on the progress of the emissions trading scheme in China. He cites the implementation of seven trading trials of the scheme in the country that covers around one-third of energy use, however, he also mentions the challenges and issues associated with the program due to several questions pertaining to its energy use and carbon emission calculation. However, the author asserts that the country will be able develop a reliable system for the program to ensure its success.