As the host city of the 15th National Games and the combined 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th Special Olympics in 2025, Shenzhen is taking the lead in promoting green development by accelerating the construction of near-zero carbon venues and setting new benchmarks in low-carbon operations.

A total of 20 venues across the city have been designated for the Games, including four newly built sites, three temporary structures, and 13 upgraded facilities. All permanent venues meet or exceed China’s two-star green building standards. Among them, the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Stadium and Gymnasium, Longhua Cultural and Sports Center, and the Yinhu Convention and Exhibition Center have been selected as pilot zones for near-zero carbon transformation.

According to official data, all pilot venues except the Yinhu Center have achieved annual carbon emissions of less than 54 kilograms per square meter. This positions them at the forefront of low-carbon facility development nationwide.

To reduce energy consumption and promote clean energy use, these venues have been equipped with solar photovoltaic systems, energy storage devices, and energy-efficient heating and lighting systems. For example, the Longhua Cultural and Sports Center is fitted with rooftop solar panels with a total capacity of 373.5 kWp and energy storage of 430 kW. The Shenzhen Bay Sports Center incorporates 873 kWp of façade-mounted solar panels, solar-powered parking shelters, and a 215 kW energy storage system that supports vehicle-to-grid operations.

In addition, most venues are equipped with smart control systems that optimize lighting, air conditioning, water pumps, and other mechanical and electrical systems to enhance energy efficiency. Solar water heating systems and air-source heat pumps cover up to 50 percent of hot water needs, and rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems are widely used.

A notable example is the Yinhu Convention and Exhibition Center, which achieved over 40 percent carbon emission reductions through green renovation measures. Renewable energy accounts for more than 8 percent of its total energy consumption.

Shenzhen is also piloting carbon footprint labeling for products used during the Games, including construction materials and general supplies such as bottled water and paper products. Green procurement standards have been introduced for 53 product categories, covering 493 types of items.

Transportation plans for the Games emphasize low-carbon mobility. Shenzhen’s public transport system has already achieved a green utilization rate of 78 percent. All buses and taxis are electric, and the adoption rate of new energy vehicles citywide has reached 76.9 percent. Electric logistics vehicles will be used during the Games to minimize transport-related emissions.

Since being selected as a national pilot city for near-zero carbon initiatives in 2021, Shenzhen has launched 113 demonstration projects across various sectors including buildings, communities, logistics parks, and rail depots. These projects cover a total area of 11.33 million square meters and are estimated to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 570,000 tons annually.

Typical examples include Jintian Primary School in Luohu District, which has reduced its per capita annual carbon emissions to below 0.2 tons while maintaining over 30 percent renewable energy use. At Yantian Port, carbon emissions per container have dropped by 33 percent, and water consumption has decreased by 22 percent, earning it recognition as a provincial-level carbon neutrality pilot zone.

As the 2025 National Games approach, Shenzhen’s green transformation of its venues and infrastructure reflects its commitment to sustainable development and sets a model for future low-carbon urban development across China.