China launches push for zero-carbon industrial parks – A greener life, a greener world

By Niu Yuhan

On 8 July, China launched a nationwide programme to construct zero-carbon industrial parks. 

The notice published by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Energy Administration opens the first round of applications for industrial zones aiming to reduce their carbon footprint. 

It sets out eight core tasks, including transitioning energy sources, infrastructural upgrades and the creation of digital carbon management systems. Accompanying documents provide detailed technical guidance, carbon accounting methods and evaluation criteria.

According to a Tsinghua University report, 80% of China’s industrial companies are concentrated in industrial parks, which account for 31% of the country’s total carbon emissions.

China’s zero-carbon industrial parks are key to its carbon neutrality goal

The “zero-carbon industrial park” concept was first mentioned in directives from the Central Economic Work Conference in December 2024. This year’s Government Work Report also listed the programme as a key task within China’s “dual carbon” goals to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

According to the notice, industrial-park-construction projects can access support including existing public and local government funding channels. The government will also support parks in introducing qualified staff and technologies in emission accounting management and product carbon-footprint certification, it notes.

In April 2022, the initial phase of the world’s first zero-carbon industrial park, Envision Ordos, opened in Inner Mongolia. Running entirely on renewable energy, it sources 80% of its power from local wind and solar installations and the remainder via grid-purchased green electricity.

Problems persist in construction of such parks, industry insiders told Yicai. They require significant energy and infrastructural investment, yet the value of their green electricity after completion is not fully rewarded in today’s market, leading to low interest from companies. Immature technology and a lack of a unified standard also limit progress in development of parks. 

However, China’s first national standard on zero-carbon industrial parks is expected to be finalised later this year, providing a technical basis for future replication and scaling. 

First published in Dialogue Earth.