Egrets fly in a mangrove park on Meizhou Island. [Photo/WeChat ID: meizhoufb]

On May 26, the Carbon Neutrality and Zero Carbon China Summit took place in Beijing. During the event, the Meizhou Island "Zero Carbon Island" comprehensive demonstration project was recognized as an outstanding initiative among 36 exemplary zero carbon cases and solutions in 2024, earning distinction in the "Zero Carbon Islands" category.

In January 2020, in order to help accelerate the pace of low-carbon development and strengthen action against climate change, the Investment Association of China (IAC) has taken the lead in launching the "Zero Carbon China" initiative. Since its inception, the initiative has continued to gather exceptional cases and technical solutions under the "Zero Carbon China" umbrella.

The Meizhou Island "Zero Carbon Island" project actively explores green and low-carbon practices. It promotes the transition from fossil fuels to electric power, achieving fully electric green public transportation and widespread adoption of electric kitchens in the hospitality sector.

By significantly increasing the utilization of new energy sources, the project has successfully shifted towards predominantly green electricity consumption over traditional energy sources. Additionally, the island-wide "Utilization of Reclaimed Water Project" has been implemented, with recycled water meeting half of the island's total water consumption needs.

Furthermore, the project has implemented comprehensive waste sorting and collection practices, generating 50 kilograms of organic fertilizer daily from kitchen waste. The deployment of the multi-end interconnected low-voltage flexible microgrid has effectively relieved electricity supply pressures during peak demand periods, reducing energy transmission losses and enhancing the efficiency of new energy utilization.

Moreover, the project has introduced ESG (environmental, social, governance) Ratings and established an island-level carbon management platform to meticulously monitor and manage energy consumption and carbon emissions across the entire island. In 2023, Meizhou Island reduced carbon emissions by a remarkable 16,730 metric tons through the widespread adoption of green electricity and reduction in fossil fuel consumption.

The Meizhou Island "Zero Carbon Island" comprehensive demonstration project not only highlights the unique charm of Meizhou Island but also exemplifies accomplishments and practical approaches to advancing zero-carbon transformation and sustainable development. Moreover, it offers a replicable and scalable green development blueprint for islands worldwide. By promoting and implementing these case studies, it will further catalyze the realization of the "Zero Carbon China" initiative.