The Yijing Kindergarten in Luohu has installed a rooftop photovoltaic power-generation system to replace conventional electricity with clean energy. The kindergarten has passed an acceptance inspection for its near-zero-carbon renovation pilot project, becoming the first kindergarten in China to complete and receive certification for such a transformation. File photos

The Yijing Kindergarten in Luohu has passed an acceptance inspection for its near-zero-carbon renovation pilot project, becoming the first kindergarten in China to complete and receive certification for such a transformation.

Established in 1987, the Yijing Kindergarten is a first-tier public kindergarten in Shenzhen. In 2021, it was selected as one of the city’s first near-zero-carbon campus pilot projects. The renovation project was completed and formally accepted in 2026.

Low-carbon infrastructure and resource recycling

The kindergarten has installed a rooftop photovoltaic power-generation system to replace conventional electricity with clean energy. Vertical greening has also been introduced to strengthen the campus’s natural carbon-sequestration capacity.

A water-recycling system purifies and reuses rainwater and greywater for irrigation and campus maintenance. In addition, a dedicated kitchen-waste treatment system converts food waste into compost, enabling its resource-based reuse.

Immersive environmental education

The campus includes a spiral garden and a four-season sunroom, giving children opportunities to observe nature and participate in gardening activities.

The Yijing Kindergarten has a water-recycling system that purifies and reuses rainwater and greywater for irrigation and campus maintenance.

A meteorological science corner allows young students to learn about weather patterns, while a low-carbon science theater uses visual media to provide engaging, age-appropriate environmental education.

Smart management for long-term operation

An intelligent low-carbon operations system monitors energy consumption and water use in real time, supporting data-based alerts and more precise management.

The kindergarten has also established a standardized carbon-emissions management framework to ensure consistent and closed-loop governance over the long term.

The Yijing Kindergarten project demonstrates the feasibility of systematically upgrading older campuses in established urban areas. It introduces an integrated model combining low-carbon infrastructure, immersive environmental education and smart management, offering a replicable approach to the green transformation of preschool education across China.

Luohu plans to expand the model developed at the Yijing Kindergarten and encourage more schools to adopt low-carbon construction and management practices. The initiative is intended to support Shenzhen’s goals of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality while promoting a harmonious relationship between people and nature.