Pioneering a Zero-Carbon Future for Islands Worldwide

The Changdao archipelago, located in Yantai, Shandong province, is undergoing a significant transformation, aiming to become an international zero-carbon oasis. This initiative reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible development.

Changdao's strategic location at the meeting point of the Yellow and Bohai seas makes it a vital marine ecological barrier within the Bohai Sea region. As a key component of Shandong province's marine ecological civilization experimental area, the archipelago is tasked with leading the way in innovative environmental practices.

In 2021, Yantai set the ambitious goal of establishing Changdao as an International Zero-Carbon Island, a vision that has been consistently emphasized in government reports. The Changdao International Zero-Carbon Island Development Plan (2023-35) was launched in Dubai at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2023, with the objective of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors by 2035.

The current efforts in Changdao are focused on developing six comprehensive zero-carbon systems. These systems encompass emissions-free transportation, sustainable living practices, eco-friendly tourism, green livelihoods, a holistic zero-carbon environment, and island-wide carbon neutrality on Miaodao Island.

Ecological conservation and restoration are also central to the project. Changdao is actively researching technologies to restore seagrass beds and seaweed fields. To date, 21 hectares of these vital ecosystems have been restored, significantly boosting the area's carbon sequestration capabilities.

Given the global challenges faced by islands, such as rising sea levels and ocean acidification, Changdao's international zero-carbon island initiative represents a crucial undertaking in island conservation and development. It aims to serve as a model for achieving zero-carbon and carbon-negative progress on inhabited islands worldwide.