Island hosting Boao Forum leads in low-carbon advancement
The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 is slated for March 25 to 28 in Boao, located in southern China's Hainan Province. The theme for this year's conference is "Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future." On Dongyu Island...

On Dongyu Island in Hainan, a near-zero carbon demonstration zone is transforming modern living by blending advanced technology with sustainable practices.
Covering 190 hectares, the zone emphasizes three primary strategies: the renovation of green buildings, the utilization of renewable energy, and the promotion of eco-friendly transportation.
Since the area's infrastructure was renovated in 2022, the demonstration zone has illustrated how technological innovation and urban redevelopment can facilitate a low-carbon future, setting a precedent for sustainable development, particularly in tropical climates around the globe.
This initiative has resulted in a significant decline in carbon dioxide emissions, plummeting from 12,000 tonnes in 2019 to just 470 tonnes in 2024—an impressive reduction of 96.2 percent.
The Dongyu demonstration zone is a symbol of China's dedication to achieving carbon neutrality and fostering sustainable growth. Looking forward, this eco-friendly model could serve as an inspiration for urban transformation projects worldwide, showcasing a Chinese approach to tackling global environmental issues.
One of the zone’s primary advantages is its energy generation capability, producing roughly 32 million kWh of green electricity each year, which is nearly double the 17 million kWh it consumes. This excess energy is contributed back to the grid, resulting in the annual savings of 7,720 tonnes of carbon-negative resources.
Sustainable transportation is another major focus. The zone encourages green commuting options, such as electricity-generating bicycles, and plans to enforce restrictions on fuel-powered vehicles starting in 2025.
Additionally, the demonstration zone is set to lay the groundwork for a research institute that will specialize in green and low-carbon technologies. This platform will help facilitate the international certification of China's "zero-carbon" standard and explore regional carbon trading mechanisms, as outlined by the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design.
Zeng Youwen, chief engineer of CAUPD's Hainan branch, remarked that the ultimate aim is to replicate this model on a national scale and even globally, demonstrating that economic development and environmental sustainability can coexist.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
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