The Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone has been exploring innovative pathways for green and low-carbon development after being designated as one of China's pilot zones for carbon emission peaking since last year.

As one of the first industrial zones in China to launch a collaborative innovation project aimed at pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction, it has developed a unique carbon credit system, with industrial enterprises as the primary entities. 

After more than a year of testing, the system was recently chosen as a model for collaborative innovation in pollution and carbon reduction by Anhui province. Among the first 30 pilot enterprises, 17 achieved positive carbon credits.

China National Building Materials (Hefei) New Energy Resources in the Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The zone's commitment to clean energy has continued to show progress, with a focus on improving the sustainability of energy sources. It has implemented a distinctive index system to encourage businesses to adopt distributed photovoltaic technology and pursue waste heat and water recycling projects, which contribute to the park's clean energy transformation.

Notable among these efforts is China National Building Materials (Hefei) New Energy Resources, a company installed with glass power generation curtain walls and rooftop photovoltaic power stations on its buildings. With a rooftop power capacity of 14.4 MW and a curtain wall power capacity of 2.811 MW, the company generates approximately 18 million kWh of electricity annually. Additionally, it harnesses waste heat from its production lines to generate 24.54 million kWh of electricity annually, setting industry-leading benchmarks for power generation.

TW Solar Technology in the Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The green industries within the zone continues to expand. The zone has introduced a range of environmental protection incentives, such as awards for technological innovation and green development. The zone also leads a system for identifying top enterprises in pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction. Key businesses like TW Solar Technology have made significant strides, achieving a reduction of wastewater emissions by around 870,000 metric tons annually and a decrease in energy consumption of 18,400 tons of coal equivalent. The company's transformation has led to a reduction of approximately 105,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, making it Anhui's first factory in basically achieving carbon neutrality.

The development zone's focus on technological innovation has further advanced its carbon credit system, particularly in high-emission and high-consumption industries. China National Building Materials (Hefei) New Energy Resources has completed the world's first carbon dioxide absorption and purification project in the glass industry, which reduces up to 50,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

At the 2024 Carbon Neutrality and Green Development Conference held in October, the zone unveiled the benchmark for carbon emission management systems.

The zone has maintained its position among the top 10 national high-tech zones for nine consecutive years. Its per capita GDP stands at approximately US$70,000, with an average tax revenue per mu (666.67 square meters) of nearly 900,000 yuan (US$123,315). The park's energy efficiency is also notable, with energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP at roughly a quarter of the national average. Additionally, the zone's operating revenue per unit of energy consumption ranks first in the province, and its GDP per kWh of electricity is among the highest in the Yangtze River Delta.

Looking forward, the Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone plans to pilot carbon credit trading and continue driving industrial enterprises toward pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction. The zone aims to further explore innovative pathways for achieving green and low-carbon transformation.