China aims to establish around 100 national-level zero-carbon industrial parks

China planned to establish about 100 national-level zero-carbon industrial parks during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), creating significant growth opportunities for green and low-carbon industries, said Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Zheng made the remarks in response to a question from China Daily during a news conference held by the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Friday. The country's top leadership had announced China's 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions to beef up climate response at the United Nations Climate Change Summit last month.

The Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development highlighted the need to accelerate the comprehensive green transition of economic and social development, Zheng said.

He emphasized that China will expedite the implementation of a dual-control system for carbon emissions, focusing on both total volume and intensity, while establishing a binding regulatory framework covering all entities.

China will also accelerate the construction of a new energy system, ensuring that by the end of the five-year plan period, the majority of new energy demand will be met through additional clean energy generation, Zheng added.

Efforts to decarbonize industrial structures will be intensified, with China's green and low-carbon industries, currently valued at about 11 trillion yuan ($1.54 trillion), expected to double or even exceed that growth over the next five years. Specifically, during the five-year plan period, the establishment of around 100 zero-carbon industrial parks will create substantial development opportunities for these industries, Zheng said.