Earth Environment Law

World Dual Carbon Organization · Legislation for the Well-being of All Humanity

Preamble

We, the peoples of the world,

Confronted with the severe challenges of climate change, and recognizing that greenhouse gas emissions resulting from human activities have posed a fundamental threat to the Earth's climate system;

Mindful of the principles established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the temperature control targets set by the Paris Agreement, and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of July 2025, which confirmed the international legal responsibility of States to reduce emissions in order to protect the global environment;

Deeply aware that, although the existing international climate governance system has made significant progress, there remains a considerable gap between the level of collective action and the temperature control targets, and that the deficit in global climate governance is becoming increasingly prominent;

Convinced that addressing climate change requires not only action at the national level, but also a universally binding international basic law to coordinate and harmonize the efforts of all States in mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology, and justice;

Adhering to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities," taking into account the different national circumstances and stages of development of developed and developing countries;

Determined to protect the Earth's climate system for present and future generations, to promote the comprehensive green and low-carbon transformation of the global economy and society, and to build a new pattern of global climate governance that is fair, reasonable, and mutually beneficial;

Hereby enact this Earth Environment Law as the basic code of conduct for climate action to be observed by all humanity.

PART I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chapter I Basic Provisions

Article 1 Legislative Purpose

This Law is enacted in accordance with the basic principles of international law and the institutional framework of international climate governance, for the purpose of protecting the Earth's climate system, achieving the global temperature control targets, promoting sustainable development, and safeguarding the common interests of all humanity.

Article 2 Core Objectives

1. The increase in the global average temperature shall be controlled to within 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.

2. The world shall achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions around 2050, and each Party shall develop a timetable and roadmap for achieving carbon neutrality in accordance with its national circumstances.

3. By the middle of this century, global total carbon emissions shall be reduced by 70% to 95% compared to 2010 levels.

Article 3 Fundamental Principles

1. Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities: All States share a common responsibility in addressing climate change, but developed countries shall take the lead in reducing emissions and provide financial, technological, and capacity-building support to developing countries.

2. Principle of Equity: Climate action shall take into account the historical responsibilities, stages of development, and national circumstances of different States.

3. Precautionary Principle: In the face of threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective precautionary measures.

4. Principle of Sustainable Development: Climate action shall be coordinated with the right to development, poverty reduction, and economic growth.

5. Principle of Global Solidarity: All States shall engage in extensive international cooperation to jointly address climate change as a common challenge for all humanity.

Article 4 Scope of Application

1. This Law applies to all Party States, covering all greenhouse gas emission sources and carbon sinks under their jurisdiction and control.

2. Each Party shall take all necessary measures to ensure that legal persons, natural persons, and other organizations under its jurisdiction comply with the obligations set forth in this Law.

3. The extraterritorial application of relevant provisions of this Law shall comply with the fundamental principles of international law and shall not prejudice the sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests of other States.

Article 5 Definitions

For the purposes of this Law:

(1) "Greenhouse gases" means carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) as listed in Annex A of the Kyoto Protocol, as well as other gases determined by the Conference of the Parties.

(2) "Carbon emissions" means total greenhouse gas emissions, measured in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e).

(3) "Carbon sinks" means any process, activity, or mechanism that removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, including forest carbon sinks, ocean carbon sinks, geological carbon sinks, and technological carbon sinks.

(4) "Nationally Determined Contributions" means the national climate action plans submitted by each Party pursuant to the Paris Agreement.

(5) "Climate adaptation" means the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects.

(6) "Loss and damage" means economic and non-economic losses resulting from climate change that exceed adaptive capacity.

PART II MITIGATION AND CARBON NEUTRALITY

Chapter II Nationally Determined Contributions

Article 6 Submission and Updating of Nationally Determined Contributions

1. Each Party shall submit its Nationally Determined Contributions on a five-year cycle, in accordance with the requirements of the Paris Agreement.

2. The ambition of each successive Nationally Determined Contribution shall be higher than the previous one, reflecting the principle of the "ratchet mechanism."

3. Nationally Determined Contributions shall include quantified absolute emission reduction targets or carbon intensity targets, as well as corresponding implementation policies and measures.

4. Each Party shall formulate and submit a long-term low-emission development strategy, clearly defining the transformation pathway to the middle of this century.

Article 7 Dual Control of Total Carbon Emissions and Carbon Intensity

1. Each Party shall establish a dual-target system for total carbon emissions control and carbon intensity reduction.

2. Developed countries shall set absolute total emission reduction targets, while developing countries may set carbon intensity targets in accordance with their national circumstances and gradually transition to total emission control.

3. Each Party shall gradually achieve the transition from "dual control of energy consumption" to "dual control of carbon emissions."

Article 8 National Greenhouse Gas Inventories

1. Each Party shall establish a system for the preparation and reporting of national greenhouse gas inventories.

2. The inventories shall cover all sectors and types of greenhouse gases, using methodologies approved by the Conference of the Parties.

3. Each Party shall regularly submit greenhouse gas inventory reports to the Secretariat of the World Dual Carbon Organization.

Chapter III Carbon Pricing and Market Mechanisms

Article 9 Carbon Pricing System

1. Each Party shall establish or improve its domestic carbon pricing mechanism, including an emissions trading system or a carbon tax system.

2. The level of carbon pricing shall reflect the social cost of greenhouse gas emissions and provide effective incentives for emission reductions.

3. The World Dual Carbon Organization shall develop guidelines for the coordination of carbon pricing, promote the formation of a global carbon price floor mechanism, and prevent carbon leakage and unfair competition.

Article 10 International Carbon Market

1. A global interconnection mechanism for emissions trading shall be established to promote the linkage of national carbon markets on a voluntary basis.

2. International carbon market transactions shall comply with the principle of "avoiding double counting" to ensure environmental integrity.

3. For emission reductions transferred through bilateral or multilateral agreements, the transferring Party shall make corresponding deductions from its Nationally Determined Contributions.

Article 11 Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

1. Each Party has the right to adopt carbon border adjustment measures to address the risk of carbon leakage and protect domestic industrial competitiveness.

2. The establishment of carbon border adjustment mechanisms shall comply with World Trade Organization rules and fundamental principles of international law, and shall not constitute disguised trade barriers.

3. Revenues from carbon border adjustment measures shall be exclusively used to support climate action in developing countries and the transfer of low-carbon technologies.

Chapter IV Emission Reduction in Key Sectors

Article 12 Energy Sector

1. Each Party shall gradually phase out coal-fired power generation without carbon capture facilities. Developed countries shall complete this by 2035, and developing countries by 2045.

2. Each Party shall set renewable energy development targets. By 2030, global renewable energy installed capacity shall reach three times the 2022 level.

3. Each Party shall gradually phase out fossil fuel subsidies and redirect such funds to clean energy and energy efficiency improvements.

Article 13 Industrial Sector

1. Each Party shall promote the low-carbon transformation of hard-to-abate industries, including steel, cement, chemicals, and aluminum.

2. Each Party shall encourage the development of breakthrough technologies, including hydrogen energy and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.

3. Major industrial countries shall formulate industrial decarbonization roadmaps, clearly defining key milestones and technological pathways.

Article 14 Transport Sector

1. Each Party shall set a timetable for the electrification of road transport. Developed countries shall achieve zero-emission new vehicles by 2035, and developing countries by 2045.

2. Each Party shall promote international cooperation on emission reduction in maritime and aviation transport.

3. Each Party shall invest in the development of sustainable alternative fuels and green transport infrastructure.

Article 15 Buildings and Cities

1. Each Party shall establish green building standards for new construction and gradually achieve nearly zero-energy buildings.

2. Each Party shall formulate plans for energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings.

3. Each Party shall promote the development of low-carbon cities and climate-resilient cities.

PART III ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE

Chapter V Climate Adaptation

Article 16 National Adaptation Strategies

1. Each Party shall formulate and implement a national climate change adaptation strategy and action plan.

2. Each Party shall integrate climate change risk assessment into territorial spatial planning, infrastructure development, and project management.

3. Each Party shall regularly update its adaptation strategy to reflect the latest scientific assessment results and practical experience.

Article 17 Adaptation in Key Areas

1. Water Resources: Each Party shall strengthen integrated water resources management, improve water use efficiency, and ensure water security.

2. Agriculture and Food Security: Each Party shall develop climate-smart agriculture, protect agricultural biodiversity, and ensure food security.

3. Health: Each Party shall establish climate change health risk assessment and early warning systems, and strengthen the prevention and control of climate-sensitive diseases.

4. Infrastructure: Each Party shall enhance the climate resilience of critical infrastructure, ensuring the safe operation of transport, energy, communications, and other systems.

5. Ecosystems: Each Party shall protect and restore natural ecosystems and maintain ecosystem service functions.

Article 18 Disaster Risk Management

1. Each Party shall establish and improve comprehensive climate disaster risk monitoring, early warning, and assessment systems.

2. Each Party shall strengthen emergency response and post-disaster recovery capabilities for extreme weather events.

3. The World Dual Carbon Organization shall establish a global platform for sharing climate disaster information.

Chapter VI Loss and Damage

Article 19 Loss and Damage Mechanism

1. A global loss and damage response mechanism shall be established to provide support to developing countries particularly severely affected by the adverse impacts of climate change.

2. Sources of funds for the Loss and Damage Fund shall include voluntary contributions from developed countries, royalties from international carbon market revenues, and allocation of revenues from carbon border adjustment measures.

3. Each Party shall cooperate in the development and application of innovative financing instruments, including climate risk insurance, social protection, and risk transfer.

PART IV CARBON SINKS AND ECOSYSTEMS

Chapter VII Forest Carbon Sinks

Article 20 Forest Protection and Restoration

1. Each Party shall protect and sustainably manage existing forests and curb deforestation and forest degradation.

2. Each Party shall implement large-scale afforestation and reforestation programs. By 2030, global forest area shall increase by 5% from the 2020 level.

3. Each Party shall establish forest carbon sink monitoring, reporting, and verification systems, utilizing advanced technologies such as satellite remote sensing.

Article 21 REDD+ Mechanism

1. The international REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) mechanism shall be improved to provide adequate and predictable financial support for forest protection in developing countries.

2. REDD+ projects shall safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities and ensure fair benefit-sharing.

3. Emission reduction credits generated by REDD+ shall comply with international carbon market quality standards and environmental integrity requirements.

Chapter VIII Blue Carbon Ecosystems

Article 22 Marine and Coastal Carbon Sinks

1. Each Party shall protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass beds, and coastal salt marshes.

2. Each Party shall establish a marine carbon sink monitoring and accounting system and include blue carbon in national greenhouse gas inventories.

3. Each Party shall strengthen monitoring of and responses to ocean acidification, and protect the carbon sink functions of marine ecosystems.

Chapter IX Technological Carbon Sinks

Article 23 Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage

1. Each Party shall support and promote the research, development, demonstration, and large-scale deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies.

2. The World Dual Carbon Organization shall develop international standards and environmental safety guidelines for CCUS projects.

3. Each Party shall explore the inclusion of carbon removal (including nature-based and technology-based removal) in the international carbon market system.

PART V FINANCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Chapter X Climate Finance

Article 24 Financial Commitments and Mobilization