The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone in Hefei – capital of East China's Anhui province – was recently listed in the first batch of 10 national peak carbon pilot areas.

The term peak carbon refers to the concept that carbon dioxide emissions cease to grow until they reach a peak at a certain point, at which time they then gradually decline, marking the detachment of carbon emissions from economic development.

An aerial view of the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone. [Photo/gxq.hefei.gov.cn]

Hefei is busy attracting green investment and encouraging the upgrade of its existing enterprises – aiming for a high-end, eco-friendly industry layout. This has resulted in a decrease in the proportion of traditional industries from 49.9 percent to the current 16.7 percent, with an increase in strategic emerging industries from 28.3 percent to 57 percent.

Incentive policies have also been issued to support innovation in cutting-edge green industry technology in local enterprises.

One example of this is local new energy company TW Solar, which has achieved a reduction of 870,000 metric tons of wastewater in annual emissions, 18,000 tons of standard coal in consumption and over 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide in its emissions.

Aiming to transform itself into a high-quality city, Hefei is actively optimizing its infrastructure – creating a 15-minute low-carbon living circle for its residents.

This includes a coverage rate of 100 percent for bus stations at intervals of 500 meters and 100 percent of new energy buses in the area.