On 17th July, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) issued the Notice on Settling Carbon Emission Allowances (CEAs) for 2021 and 2022 in the National Carbon Market. According to the document, critical emission units will have differentiated CEAs and compliance obligations. In addition, essential emission units are encouraged to offset CEA settlements through the China Certified Emission Reductions (CCER) scheme to attain emission-cut goals more flexibly. Such policies aim to inject impetus into the national carbon market, promote the corporate fulfilment of compliance obligations, and advance the cause of environmental protection.