A poster shows an updated system that evaluates companies' energy consumption efficiency and carbon emission performances. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]                      

Huzhou in East China's Zhejiang province has been focusing on reducing carbon emissions in recent years in support of the nation's goal to hit peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The city has to date rolled out 13 innovative decarbonization practices covering sectors including energy, construction, transportation, agriculture and residents' life.

One of the practices is the establishment of a trading platform in Anji county that allows enterprises and farmers to redeem rewards for planting bamboo, which is considered an effective carbon sink and important nature-based approach to mitigating global warming.

The platform is the first of its kind set up by a county in the nation. To date, the platform has completed transactions for the storage of 25,000 metric tons of carbon from bamboo and its products.

In addition, Huzhou has unveiled a system to evaluate the energy consumption efficiency and carbon emission performances of companies.

The system classifies companies related to metal smelting, textiles and other high energy consumption sectors according to their carbon emissions and output value. Companies can check which of the five grades they belong to by scanning a QR code. The carbon emissions are calculated based on energy consumption data.

The system, which is the first of its kind in China, has been promoted across Zhejiang. To date, it has been utilized by 42,000 enterprises in the province.

The city has also rolled out favorable polices to encourage both enterprises and individuals to get involved in the decarbonization campaign.

For example, car owners stand to earn a discount for car premiums if they drive less, while enterprises can apply for loan interest discounts for purposes related to green manufacturing.