Longhua District in Shenzhen has been recognized as a pioneering model for green development, after its innovative pollution and carbon reduction practices were selected as the only ecological case from Shenzhen among 65 exemplary grassroots reform initiatives recently announced by Reform Office of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee.

To advance its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, Longhua introduced a comprehensive policy framework that provides clear directives across key sectors. Environmental quality metrics were incorporated into the KPI assessments of various government agencies. The district also launched a series of subsidies and incentives to encourage enterprises to adopt sustainable practices.

In the industrial sector, Longhua implemented a multi-dimensional evaluation system to reduce pollution and carbon emissions, customizing solutions for 30 industrial parks and 100 key enterprises.

Notably, the district pioneered a technical standard for the plastics industry and incubated 26 national-level green factories—including Foxconn and China Resources Sanjiu—as well as five enterprises specializing in green supply chain management.

The construction sector witnessed breakthroughs through digital innovation. By leveraging digital twin platforms and BIM (Building Information Modeling)/CIM (City Information Modeling) technologies, Longhua created a smart construction management model.

One landmark achievement is the Huazhang Xinzhu talent housing project in Zhangkengjing Community—China’s first modular high-rise concrete building—which reduced solid waste by 75% during construction, setting a new benchmark for eco-friendly building practices.

A computerized image of the Huazhang Xinzhu talent housing project in Longhua District. File photo

To accelerate the transition to clean transportation, the district provided 1.74 billion yuan (US$24 million) in subsidies, driving 34.83 billion yuan in new energy vehicle (NEV) purchases. It also deployed 125 supercharging stations, 22 V2G (vehicle-to-grid) charging stations, and 10 integrated energy hubs.

In addition, Longhua led the way in developing the low-altitude economy, launching China’s first air-rail intermodal project and a smart drone airport.

These efforts have delivered measurable environmental improvements. The district recorded the highest air quality improvement rate in Shenzhen, with 95.9% of days rated as having excellent air quality. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations dropped to 18.5 and 35.1 μg/m3, respectively. Meanwhile, water quality at the Qiping section of the Guanlan River met national Class II standards, earning Longhua recognition as a provincial model for water treatment.

On the technological front, Longhua collaborated with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s Satellite Environment Center to establish an advanced remote sensing system for precision pollution monitoring and control.

Longhua’s achievements have attracted national recognition. At a national training workshop on synergizing pollution reduction and carbon neutrality, the district shared its experience as a pilot city. Additionally, a related case study on sustainable development won an award in a national competition on carbon peaking practices hosted by Xinhua Net.