Yantai's Changdao leads zero-carbon island development

A view of Chandgao Island, Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: zsyttv]

Since 2021, Yantai city in Shandong province has been implementing measures to conserve energy, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance carbon sequestration, steadily advancing the construction of Changdao International Zero-carbon Island with positive outcomes.

Located at the confluence of the Yellow and Bohai seas between the Jiaodong and Liaodong peninsulas, Changdao Island serves as an ecological barrier and corridor in the Bohai Sea region.

As a national ecological functional area and Shandong province's marine ecological civilization comprehensive trial zone, Changdao bears the mission of pioneering and leading the exploration. These factors determine Changdao's forefront position, as a pioneer and role model in zero-carbon island construction.

To drive this task, Yantai initiated the planning of the "Changdao International Zero-carbon Island" in May 2023. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) held in Dubai in December of the same year, the "Changdao International Zero-carbon Island Development Plan (2023–2035)" was released. It outlines Changdao's goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

A series of protective restoration and green low-carbon development measures are unfolding on Changdao, such as releasing newly hatched fish, developing island-themed tourism, and implementing comprehensive waste sorting and proper disposal.

The construction of the zero-carbon island is now becoming a part of resident's daily lives. All 58 original buses on the island have been replaced by 189 fully electric ones, achieving 100-percent green and low-carbon public transportation.  An office building that will use geothermal heat pumps and distributed photovoltaics for heating and cooling will break ground soon.

Furthermore, zero-carbon hotels, zero-carbon guesthouses, and other establishments are emerging continuously, bolstering local residents' support for the development of the international zero-carbon island.