By Diao Fanchao
The Paper 
January 22, 2026 / 07:06

澎湃新闻记者 刁凡超
2026-01-22 07:06
来源：澎湃新闻

At the end of 2025, China released the first batch of national-level zero-carbon park construction list, which includes 52 parks distributed across 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government. From the coast of the East China Sea to the Gobi deserts in the west, zero-carbon practices centered on industrial, energy and regional coordination are quietly unfolding at the park level, emerging as a key fulcrum to drive deep decarbonization of the industrial system.
As major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and important carriers of economic development, industrial parks account for approximately 31% of China’s total carbon dioxide emissions. Their green transition has become a focus of low-carbon policies among major global economies. In China, with the large-scale development and cost reduction of industries such as photovoltaic power, wind power and energy storage, zero-carbon parks have become technically and economically feasible, bearing dual expectations of responding to international green trade rules and fostering new productive forces.
Wang Xuhua, Dean of the Green Development Research Institute at Beijing Jipeng Information Consulting Co., Ltd., regards zero-carbon park construction as a "genuine 'testbed'": "In the future, various technologies—whether renewable energy heating, deep energy conservation, digital management or AI empowerment—will be put to the test of market and efficiency here, with the fittest surviving."
2025年年末，中国首批国家级零碳园区建设名单公布，名单上的52个园区分布于全国31个省、自治区、直辖市。从东海之滨到西部戈壁，一场以园区为单元，围绕产业、能源与区域协同的零碳实践悄然展开，成为撬动工业体系深度脱碳的关键支点。
作为温室气体排放的主要来源和经济发展的重要载体，工业园区贡献了全国约31%的二氧化碳排放，其绿色转型成为全球主要经济体低碳政策关注的重点。在中国，随着光伏、风电、储能等产业的大规模发展与成本下降，零碳园区从技术和经济性上有了可能，承载着应对国际绿色贸易规则、培育新质生产力的双重期待。
北京计鹏信息咨询有限公司绿色发展研究院院长汪徐华将零碳园区建设视为 “真实的‘试验场’”：“未来各类技术，无论是可再生能源供热、深度节能、数字化管理还是AI赋能，都将在这里接受市场和效益的检验，优胜劣汰。”

From "Testbed" to "Bridgehead"
On December 26, 2025, the General Office of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the General Department of the National Energy Administration jointly issued the First Batch of National Zero-Carbon Park Construction List. The document requires all regions to actively support the construction of national zero-carbon parks within their jurisdictions, provide necessary support in terms of fund allocation, factor guarantee, technical support and financial services, promote the implementation of direct green power supply models such as direct green electricity connection and nearby access of new energy to incremental distribution networks in national zero-carbon parks, and encourage and support relevant parks to carry out technological, policy and business model innovations based on local conditions.
A zero-carbon park is not an abstract concept.
In a written interview with The Paper (www.thepaper.cn) on January 5, the National Energy Conservation Center of the NDRC clearly stated that a zero-carbon park refers to a park where carbon dioxide emissions from production and living activities are reduced to a "near-zero" level through planning, design, technology, management and other means, and which has the conditions to further achieve "net-zero" emissions. Despite the word "zero" in its name, the construction standard for a zero-carbon park is to reduce emissions to "near-zero carbon"—approximately one-tenth of the current national average carbon emission intensity per unit of energy consumption—rather than an absolute requirement of 100% zero emissions. For qualified and willing parks, "net-zero carbon" can be achieved through carbon sink offset and other approaches.
从“试验场”到“桥头堡”
2025年12月26日，国家发展改革委办公厅、工业和信息化部办公厅、 国家能源局综合司印发了《国家级零碳园区建设名单（第一批）》。文件要求各地区积极支持本地区国家级零碳园区建设，在资金安排、要素保障、技术支持、金融服务等方面给予必要支持，推动绿电直连、新能源就近接入增量配电网等绿色电力直接供应模式在国家级零碳园区落地，鼓励和支持相关园区因地制宜开展技术创新、政策创新、商业模式创新。
零碳园区并非一个抽象概念。
1月5日，国家发改委国家节能中心在回复澎湃新闻（www.thepaper.cn）的书面采访中明确，零碳园区是指通过规划、设计、技术、管理等方式，使园区内生产生活活动产生的二氧化碳排放降至“近零”水平，并具备进一步达到“净零”条件的园区。零碳园区虽然名字里有“零”，但建成标准是减排至“近零碳”，大约降到当前全国单位能耗碳排放平均水平的十分之一左右，而不是绝对要求100%不排放。对于有条件、有意愿的园区，可通过碳汇抵消等方式实现“净零碳”。
“在‘双碳’目标背景下打造一批零碳园区，开展园区低碳发展模式创新、技术创新、政策机制创新，积极探索园区减碳增效转型路径，对推动园区绿色低碳高质量发展具有重要意义。”国家发改委国家节能中心在回复中指出，这些园区将承担五方面重要功能。

"Against the backdrop of the 'dual carbon' goals, building a batch of zero-carbon parks, carrying out innovations in low-carbon development models, technologies and policy mechanisms, and actively exploring paths for parks to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency are of great significance for promoting the green, low-carbon and high-quality development of parks," the National Energy Conservation Center of the NDRC pointed out in its reply, noting that these parks will undertake five important functions.
First and foremost, they serve as a "testbed" for new energy systems. Parks are required to effectively promote direct green power supply and supporting energy storage, aiming to address the pain point of new energy being "generated in large quantities but unable to be transmitted out", and explore replicable supply-demand matching models for new energy systems.
The function as a "main battlefield" for deep industrial decarbonization is equally crucial. The document specifies that zero-carbon parks take "green production for green development" as the core, not only seeking optimal solutions for decarbonization of traditional industries such as steel and chemical engineering, but also providing green empowerment for emerging industries.
In addition, they act as a "vane" guiding coordinated regional development—with layout based on differences in wind and solar resources and industrial foundations across regions; a "bridgehead" responding to green trade challenges—affixing green labels to "Made in China" through traceable carbon management; and a "pioneer zone" exploring zero-carbon practice paths—accumulating practical experience in carbon neutrality for the whole society.
新型能源体系的“试验场” 首当其冲。园区需实打实推进绿电直供、配建储能，旨在破解新能源“发得多、送不出”的痛点，为新型能源体系探索可复制的供需匹配模式。
产业深度脱碳的“主阵地” 功能同样关键。文件指出，零碳园区以“以绿制绿”为核心，既为钢铁、化工等传统产业寻找脱碳“最优解”，也为新兴产业进行绿色赋能。
此外，它还是引导区域协调发展的“风向标”——依据各地风光资源和产业基础差异进行布局；应对绿色贸易挑战的“桥头堡”——通过可溯源的碳管理为“中国制造”贴上绿色标签；以及探索零碳实践路径的“先行区”——为全社会的碳中和积累实战经验。

Nationwide Coverage of Pilot Layout
The first batch of the list reflects distinct national strategic intentions. Duan Kai, Senior Director of the Energy Transition Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), pointed out: "Virtually every province, municipality and autonomous region across the country has at least one park selected, leveraging pilot parks to drive regional development." This layout balances regional equilibrium and endowment differences: eastern coastal parks focus on advanced manufacturing and the digital economy, while provinces in the northwest rich in wind and solar resources mainly rely on local new energy advantages to promote zero-carbon construction.
In terms of organizational form, the "park-in-park" model has become a pragmatic choice. Among the 52 parks, 47 adopt the "park-in-park" model, with only 5 advancing as entire parks.
"The characteristic of building zero-carbon parks through the 'park-in-park' model is that within a large park, a clearly bounded area with sound infrastructure and relatively independent functions can be designated first for focused construction and exploration," Duan Kai analyzed. This approach emphasizes pragmatism and operability, avoiding the arduous challenges of transforming "whole parks" with a high proportion of traditional industries, and facilitating the formation of replicable and scalable experiences.
试点布局全国覆盖
首批名单体现了鲜明的国家战略意图。自然资源保护协会（NRDC）能源转型项目高级主管段锴指出：“全国31个省、市、自治区基本都至少有一个园区入选，用试点园区带动区域发展。”这种布局兼顾了区域均衡与禀赋差异：东部沿海园区侧重于先进制造业和数字经济，而西北风光资源丰富的省份则主要依托本地新能源优势推动零碳建设。
在组织形式上，“园中园”成为务实选择。52个园区中，47个采用“园中园”模式，仅5个为整体园区推进。
“‘园中园’建设零碳园区的特点在于，它可以在一个大园区内，先划出一块边界清晰、基础较好、功能较独立的区域进行重点建设和探索。”段锴分析，这种做法更注重务实性和可操作性，避免了传统产业占比高的“整体园”改造的艰巨挑战，利于形成可复制、可推广的经验。

Parks included in the first batch of the list show a phased progression in industrial selection. Wang Xuhua observed: "Most parks are concentrated in the new energy industrial chain featuring 'green production for green development', such as those laid out around leading enterprises like CATL, Envision Energy and Shanghai Electric—this is the mainstream. The second category consists of emerging industries represented by computing power centers."
"Although small in number, the list also includes some parks in traditional high-energy-consuming sectors such as fine chemicals, indicating that the pilot program is also attempting to tackle the 'tough nuts'," Wang Xuhua said.
Regarding the question of why more traditional high-energy-consuming parks were not selected, Zhou Xiaohang, Senior Director of the Clean Power Program at NRDC, believes this is a strategic choice: "The reality is that zero-carbon park construction itself has just started. First exploring feasible paths relying on emerging industries, then providing references for the transformation of traditional industries, is a phased process advancing from easy to difficult."
纳入首批名单的园区在产业选择上呈现梯次推进特征。汪徐华观察到：“大部分园区集中在‘以绿制绿’的新能源产业链上，比如围绕宁德时代、远景、上海电气等链主企业布局，这是主流。其次是以算力中心为代表的新兴产业。”
“虽然数量不多，但名单中也包含了一些精细化工等传统高载能领域园区，这说明试点也在尝试啃‘硬骨头’。” 汪徐华说。
针对为何不多选传统高耗能园区的疑问，NRDC清洁电力项目高级主管周晓航认为这是一种策略性选择：“现实情况是，零碳园区建设本身才刚刚起步。先依托新兴产业摸索可行路径，再为传统产业转型提供参考，是一个由易到难、分阶段推进的过程。”

Core Challenges: Barriers to Direct Green Power Supply and System Matching
Energy greening is the cornerstone of zero-carbon parks, and the NDRC emphasizes that "direct green power supply is a mandatory indicator for zero-carbon park construction". However, this poses a practical challenge for parks in the eastern regions with insufficient resources.
"This is a core issue," Wang Xuhua pointed out. In the application plans of the first batch of 52 parks, many proposed the goal of 100% green power supply, with sources falling into three categories: direct green electricity connection (dedicated line supply), green power trading (provincial or cross-regional trading), and green certificate purchases—but each method has issues that need to be resolved.
Direct green electricity connection (dedicated line supply) is physically traceable, but not necessarily low-cost, and needs to compete with the cost of local existing power consumption methods; green power trading (via the electricity market) is an important way to achieve cross-regional green power allocation, but current mechanisms lack priority guarantees and clear paths for users such as zero-carbon parks; green certificates, as a supplementary measure, can be partially adopted by eastern enterprises with strong affordability, but are rarely mentioned in the plans because they represent pure additional costs. She summarized the main barriers as: high difficulty in local coordination, unsmooth cross-regional trading mechanisms, and unclear cost-sharing mechanisms.
核心挑战：绿电直供的壁垒与系统匹配
能源绿色化是零碳园区的基石，国家发改委强调 “‘绿电直供’是零碳园区建设的硬性指标”。然而，这对东部资源不足的园区构成了现实挑战。
“这是个核心问题。”汪徐华指出，首批52个园区的申报方案中，许多方案都提出了100%绿电供给的目标，其来源无外乎三种：绿电直连（专线直供）、绿电交易（省内或跨区交易）、购买绿证，但每种方式都存在需要解决的问题。
绿电直连（专线直供）在物理上可实现可追溯，但成本未必低，需要与当地原有用电方式成本进行博弈；绿电交易（通过电力市场）是实现跨区绿电调配的重要方式，但目前机制上对零碳园区这类用户缺乏优先保障和明确路径；绿证作为补充手段，对于承受力较强的东部企业，可以部分采用，但方案中普遍提及不多，因为这意味着纯粹的额外成本。她总结主要壁垒在于：地方协调难度大、跨区交易机制不畅通、成本分摊机制未明确。

Regarding concerns that local consumption of green power in the west may exacerbate shortages in the east, Wang Xuhua believes there is no need for excessive worry: "The state is vigorously promoting the construction of large-scale wind and solar bases, and the overall scale of green power will expand rapidly in the future. The key issue lies not in total volume, but in temporal and spatial matching. This needs to be addressed by strengthening power transmission channels, developing energy storage, and establishing more flexible cross-regional trading mechanisms."
From a systematic perspective, Zhou Xiaohang put forward more in-depth requirements: "The matching between green energy supply and load is the key. This not only refers to building distributed photovoltaic power generation or energy storage within the park, but also includes providing parks with abundant, economical and reliable green power through market mechanisms, platform construction and other means. The key is to match the characteristics of the supply side (green power) with the power consumption characteristics of industries (load side) within the park as closely as possible."
She particularly emphasized that the continuous operation, supervision and service system after the construction period are even more crucial. The construction of these "software" determines whether the park can maintain a "near-zero" state sustainably, rather than just meeting the standards upon completion.
针对西部绿电就地消纳是否会加剧东部短缺的担忧，汪徐华认为不必过虑：“国家同时在大力推进大型风光基地建设，未来绿电的‘总盘子’是在快速做大的。问题的关键不在于总量，而在于时空匹配。这需要通过加强输电通道、发展储能以及更灵活的跨区交易机制来解决。”
周晓航从系统视角提出了更深层要求：“绿色能源的供给与负荷的匹配是关键。这不仅是指在园区内建设分布式光伏或储能，还包括通过市场机制、平台建设等手段，为园区提供丰富、经济、可靠的绿色电力。关键在于，供给侧（绿电）的特性要与园区内产业（负荷端）的用电特性尽可能匹配起来。”
她特别强调，建设期之后持续的运营、监管和服务体系更为关键，这些“软件”建设决定了园区能否持续保持“近零”状态，而不仅仅是在建成时达标。

Anti-Greenwashing Mechanisms: Unified Benchmarks and Transparent Verification
Currently, there are no unified national construction standards in place. While this encourages local innovation, does it lay hidden risks of greenwashing?
"Objectively speaking, in the absence of unified national construction standards, there is indeed room for greenwashing risks," Duan Kai believes. The risks may manifest in two aspects: excessive focus on relative targets such as the reduction of carbon emission intensity while ignoring absolute emission cuts; and emission reduction effects may stem from changes in statistical calibers or industrial transfer rather than real emission reductions.
"If underlying rules are not unified, different parks may adopt varying carbon accounting boundaries, base year selections and indicator systems, which could lead to the standard of 'who is more low-carbon' being determined by caliber design rather than actual performance," Duan Kai warned. This is not conducive to national evaluation and experience refinement, and runs counter to the direction of building a unified national market.
防“洗绿”机制：统一标尺与透明核查
当前国家层面未出台统一建设标准，这在鼓励地方创新的同时，是否会埋下 “洗绿”（Greenwashing）的隐患？
“客观上说，在缺乏全国统一建设标准的情况下，确实存在‘洗绿’的风险空间。”段锴认为，风险可能体现在：过度关注碳排放强度下降等相对目标，忽视绝对量削减；减排成效可能来自统计口径变化或产业转移，而非真实减排。
“如果底层规则不统一，不同园区在碳核算边界、基准年选择和指标体系上各不相同，有可能导致‘谁更低碳’的标准来自口径设计而非实际绩效。”段锴提醒说，这不利于全国评估和经验提炼，也与建设全国统一大市场的方向相悖。

His proposed solution to prevent greenwashing is a combination of measures: "unified basic rules + independent verification + information disclosure".
"It is indeed inadvisable to formulate rigid one-size-fits-all standards prematurely; space should be left for local innovation. But the top priority is to establish unified basic rules for carbon emission accounting and evaluation as soon as possible," Duan Kai suggested. The state needs to clarify accounting boundaries, core indicators and basic methodologies, allowing local differentiated exploration under this "benchmark". Meanwhile, a third-party verification mechanism under a unified framework should be established, and parks should be encouraged to strengthen information disclosure and accept public supervision.
他提出的防范之道是组合拳：“统一基础规则+独立核查+信息公开”。
“过早制定一刀切的刚性标准确实不可取，应该给地方留出创新空间。但当务之急是必须尽快建立关于碳排放核算与评价的统一基础规则。”段锴建议，国家需明确核算边界、核心指标和基本方法学，在此“标尺”下允许地方差异化探索。同时还要建立统一框架下的第三方核查机制，并推动园区加强信息披露，接受公众监督。

Future Outlook: Diverse "Experience Packages" Rather Than a One-Size-Fits-All Answer
Regarding the sustainability of zero-carbon parks, Zhou Xiaohang pointed out that in the early stage of industrial development, appropriate targeted subsidies are necessary, but in the long run, reliance on market-oriented mechanisms is essential. "This includes establishing an electricity market that reflects green value, a gradually improved carbon market, and innovations in green financial products. Enterprises need to see that transitioning to zero-carbon not only meets regulatory requirements, but also brings tangible cost advantages or market competitiveness."
The NDRC proposed that all regions should strengthen the tracking and scheduling of the construction progress of national zero-carbon parks. For parks that meet the indicator requirements of national zero-carbon parks, local authorities should organize acceptance evaluations in conjunction with relevant departments in the region; upon passing, they can apply to the NDRC for acceptance, and parks that pass the national acceptance will be officially recognized as national zero-carbon parks.
Looking ahead to what can be summarized after the 3–5 year construction period, Wang Xuhua expects: "I don’t think it will be a single outcome, but a diversified 'experience package' that allows trial and error and accommodates different successful paths."
未来展望：多元“经验包”而非标准答案
对于零碳园区的可持续性，周晓航指出，在产业发展初期，适当的精准补贴有必要，但长期必须依靠市场化机制。“这包括建立反映绿色价值的电力市场、逐步完善的碳市场，以及绿色金融产品的创新。要让企业看到，向零碳转型不仅能满足监管要求，更能带来实际的成本优势或市场竞争力。”
国家发改委提出，各地区要加强对国家级零碳园区建设进展的跟踪调度。对于达到国家级零碳园区指标要求的园区，要会同本地区有关部门组织验收评估，通过后提请国家发展改革委验收，验收通过的园区正式作为国家级零碳园区。
对于3-5年建设期后能总结出什么，汪徐华预期：“我认为不会是单一成果，而是一个多元化的‘经验包’，允许试错，也包容不同的成功路径。”

She predicts that experience will be accumulated in five aspects: exploration of mechanisms and rules, establishment of standard systems, scenario-based verification of technologies, innovation of business models, and cultivation of talents and awareness.
"What will ultimately emerge is not a 'standard answer', but a variety of optional 'path templates'," Wang Xuhua pointed out. Given the extreme complexity of China’s park types and industrial compositions, it is difficult to define them with a rigid set of standards. The greatest significance of the pilot program lies in stimulating all parties to explore diversified solutions.
Duan Kai noted that the first batch of 52 parks is a "construction list"—there is still a long way to go before they are truly completed and accepted. Official recognition requires passing acceptance evaluations based on core indicators and guiding indicators.
她预见将在五方面形成经验：机制与规则的探索、标准体系的建立、技术的场景化验证、商业模式的创新以及人才与认知的培育。
“最终呈现的将不是一个‘标准答案’，而是多种可供选择的‘路径模板’。”汪徐华指出，中国园区类型和产业构成极其复杂，很难用一套僵化标准框定。试点最大的意义在于激发各方探索多样化解决方案。
段锴指出，首批52个园区是 “建设名单” ，离真正建成验收还有距离，需通过核心指标和引导性指标验收才能正式认定。

The driving effect at the national level has already emerged. At present, Guangdong, Shandong, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia and other regions have taken the lead in introducing provincial-level zero-carbon park construction plans in light of regional characteristics, launching explorations with more local features.
The significance of zero-carbon park construction goes far beyond the green transition of individual parks. As Zhou Xiaohang observed, China has a vast territory with huge regional differences, which determines that zero-carbon paths are bound to be diversified. From resource-endowed Inner Mongolia to industrially dense, resource-constrained Jiangsu, different pilots are exploring distinctive solutions.
The sparks ignited in these 52 parks aim to forge, through diverse practices, a Chinese solution that balances ambition with pragmatism and integrates technological and institutional innovation—for industrial regions across China and even the world facing similar challenges. It is not only about reducing carbon emission figures, but also a profound transformation of industrial development logic, energy utilization methods and regional coordination models.
国家层面的带动效应已经显现，目前，广东、山东、江苏、内蒙古等地已结合区域特色，先行出台了省级零碳园区建设方案，展开了更具地方特色的探索。
零碳园区建设的意义远超单个园区的绿色转型。正如周晓航观察，中国幅员辽阔，地区差异巨大，这决定了零碳路径必然是多元的。从资源禀赋优越的内蒙古，到产业密集、资源受限的江苏，不同的试点正在探索各具特色的答案。
这场在52个园区点亮的星火，其目标是通过多样化的实践，为全国乃至全球面临相似挑战的工业区域，淬炼出一套兼具雄心与务实、融合技术创新与制度创新的中国方案。它不仅关乎碳排放数字的降低，更是一场关于产业发展逻辑、能源利用方式与区域协同模式的深刻变革。

Responsible Editor: Wang Jun
Photo Editor: Shen Ke
责任编辑：王俊
图片编辑：沈轲


(Using AI translation)
（使用AI翻译）