Shenzhen, China Pioneers ‘Near-Zero Carbon Communities’ Shenzhen is implementing 113 near-zero carbon demonstration projects, an ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy costs and expand parks and walkways. In the process, it's creating a blueprint for a modern green city. In Shenzhen’s Houhai Central District, summer temperatures climb higher each year. Last summer, the city recorded a blistering 37.5 degrees C (99.5 degrees F), one of its hottest days in decades. For residents in dense, aging apartment blocks, staying cool isn’t just a matter of comfort; it’s a matter of cost. People are relying more heavily on air conditioners for relief. Electricity bills are surging as a result. It’s a common challenge in cities in China, where per capita electricity use has doubled over the past decade. Rapid urbanization and improved living standards have pushed residential energy use into a major driver of energy demand and carbon emissions. In Shenzhen, an industrial powerhouse home to 18 million people, household electricity consumption rose 10.3% from 2023 to 2024 alone. Residents want lower bills, cooler streets and better neighborhoods. Shenzhen is prepared to give it to them. The city is in the process of implementing 113 near-zero carbon demonstration projects, an ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy costs and build a greener future. In Houhai, one of Shenzhen’s larger neighborhoods, WRI worked with the city to deploy a range of solutions — from solar panels and smart energy management systems to energy efficiency retrofits, expanded green space and walkways. Together, these changes are delivering benefits far beyond carbon reduction — and in the process, creating a blueprint for a modern, green city. WRI’s Work on Shenzhen’s Near-Zero Carbon Communities This project is part of WRI Ross Center’s Deep Dive Cities Initiative, which focuses on locally driven projects