China has initiated a nationwide program to build national-level zero-carbon factories, marking a concrete step in the country's ongoing pursuit of green manufacturing to support its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.

According to a circular recently issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the program will support the development of national-level zero-carbon factories, including computing facilities, to steadily reduce carbon dioxide emissions within factory boundaries to near-zero levels through technological innovation, structural adjustment and management optimization.

Manufacturing enterprises and computing facilities with a solid foundation for low-carbon development, clear objectives and roadmap, and a commitment to achieving construction targets within a specified timeframe, will be selected for the list.

To guide the green transition, the ministry has introduced a trial evaluation system, outlining core requirements and guiding indicators to encourage participating entities to systematically upgrade their operations via technological innovation, process decarbonization, smart carbon management, carbon offsetting and transparent information disclosure.

Rather than offering a one-time certification, the initiative emphasizes continuous carbon reduction efforts and practical results. The MIIT said it will conduct random inspections and organize acceptance evaluations to recognize facilities that successfully pass the assessment as national-level zero-carbon factories.

China has set the dual carbon goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.