On Dongyu Island in south China’s Hainan Province, a revolutionary transformation is reshaping modern living. The near-zero carbon demonstration zone is integrating cutting-edge technology with sustainable development, positioning the island as a global pioneer in low-carbon living.
Spanning 190 hectares, the demonstration zone focuses on three key strategies: green building renovation, renewable energy utilization, and eco-friendly transportation. Since the infrastructure renovation in 2022, Dongyu Island has been showcasing how technological innovation can pave the way for a sustainable future, particularly in tropical regions worldwide.
The efforts have led to a drastic reduction in carbon dioxide emissions—from 12,000 tonnes in 2019 to just 470 tonnes in 2024, marking a 96.2 percent decrease. This significant achievement underscores China’s commitment to carbon neutrality and serves as an inspiration for urban transformation projects around the globe.
One of the zone’s core strengths lies in its energy generation capacity. The island produces approximately 32 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually, nearly twice its 17-million-kilowatt-hour demand. The surplus energy is fed into the grid, contributing to an annual savings of 7,720 tonnes of carbon-negative resources.
Sustainable mobility is another key initiative on the island. The zone promotes green commuting through electricity-generating bicycles and plans to implement restrictions on fuel-powered vehicles starting in 2025.
Looking ahead, the demonstration zone will serve as a springboard for establishing a research institute dedicated to green and low-carbon technologies. This platform will also support the international certification of China’s “zero-carbon” standard and explore regional carbon trading mechanisms, according to the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design (CAUPD).
“Our goal is to replicate this model nationwide and even globally, showcasing that economic growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand,” said Zeng Youwen, chief engineer of CAUPD’s Hainan branch.
