Yantai forges ahead in green, low-carbon development

Yantai leads the way in green and low-carbon development. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yantai in East China's Shandong province is steadfastly aiming to become the most important city in the Bohai Sea region by 2035, actively forging itself into a model city for high-quality development and emphasizing green and low-carbon practices.

In recent years, Yantai has been making significant strides in developing new energy sources, catalyzing the transition of industries towards green and low-carbon practices. For instance, the new energy vehicle manufacturing industry is experiencing rapid development in Yantai. The Weichai-BYD (Yantai) New Energy Power Industrial Park, scheduled for completion and operation by the end of 2024, aims to become a comprehensive research and manufacturing hub for new energy vehicle components like batteries, motors, electronic controls and driving systems.

Green and low-carbon initiatives have become deeply ingrained in the daily lives of Yantai's residents. The city currently operates a fleet of 1,992 new energy buses, making up 84.5 percent of the total bus fleet. Furthermore, Yantai has embraced innovative approaches such as utilizing industrial waste heat, nuclear energy, and waste-to-energy systems to advance comprehensive clean heating solutions.

As a city blessed with a unique natural environment nestled between mountains and seas, Yantai has been unwavering in its commitment to ecological development, advocating for the coordinated progress of carbon reduction, pollution control, afforestation, and economic growth. Yantai has been recognized with prestigious honors such as "National Forest City" and "National Water Ecological Civilization City".

Yantai's success in green development has attracted attention both at home and abroad. Looking ahead, the city is poised to continue pursuing green development, further solidifying its leading position in the national strategy to peak carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality.