Shanxi province's Datong Economic and Technological Development Zone and Yangquan High-Tech Industrial Development Zone were selected in the first batch of national zero-carbon park construction projects announced on Dec 23 by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the National Energy Administration.

A zero-carbon park is designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from production and daily activities within the park to "near-zero" levels, with the potential to achieve "net-zero". As the smallest operational unit for targeted carbon emission management, zero-carbon parks are crucial to turning the "dual carbon" goals from concept into practice.

The release of this initial list of national zero-carbon parks marks a milestone in energy transition, industrial upgrading, regional coordination, and international competitiveness.

Both of Shanxi's development zones have adopted the "park within a park" approach, which involves designating specific areas within existing parks for zero-carbon development, underscoring the province's commitment to China's broader carbon neutrality goals.