All Publications

In recent years, while continuing to ensure national coal supply, Shanxi Province has accelerated its transition toward efficient, intelligent coal development and green, integrated mining practices. Recently, the Shanxi Coshare Innovation Institute of Energy & Environment and iGDP jointly published “Methane Emission Reduction in Coal-Dependent Regions: The Shanxi Experience,” which explores how Shanxi is leveraging policy frameworks, technological innovation, and market mechanisms to promote the resourceful utilization of coal mine methane under the backdrop of China’s “dual carbon” goals. The report highlights that Shanxi, as the province with the highest methane emissions in China, has significantly improved methane capture and utilization rates through diverse technological pathways—including power generation from drained gas, direct combustion for heating, and regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) for combined heat and power. It has also established a relatively comprehensive support system encompassing legislation, policy targets, fiscal incentives, carbon market engagement, and technological R&D. Drawing on case studies from representative mines such as Sihe, Fusheng, and Yuanxiang, the report demonstrates the feasibility of achieving co-benefits in both emission reductions and economic returns. At the same time, it stresses the need for stricter enforcement of emission standards and the establishment of a robust methane monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system. By addressing these challenges, Shanxi aims to provide a replicable and scalable model—the “Shanxi Solution”—for methane mitigation in resource-dependent regions worldwide.

Recently, the China International Low-Carbon College at Shandong University of Finance and Economics, the Jinan Engineering Consulting Institute, and iGDP jointly released the Report on Energy Efficiency Improvement Pathways and Policy Recommendations for Shandong’s Industrial Sector. Focusing on key industries including steel, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, petrochemicals, and building materials, the report systematically identifies current energy efficiency gaps and proposes practical, actionable pathways and policy recommendations. The report aims to support evidence-based decision-making for energy savings, carbon reduction, and green transformation in Shandong’s industrial sector.

To systematically assess the pathways for Shandong Province’s “dual carbon” goals, iGDP and the China International Low-Carbon College at Shandong University of Finance and Economics have jointly released a new report titled Shandong’s Low-Carbon Transition Pathways — Using EPS Modeling. Leveraging the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS)—an open-source modeling tool for energy and climate policy analysis—the study develops a customized energy policy simulation model for Shandong. It conducts a comprehensive projection of the province’s energy consumption, sectoral greenhouse gas emissions, technology adoption, and macro-level impacts from 2020 to 2060. The analysis provides targeted policy recommendations across key sectors, including power generation, industry, buildings, transportation, and non-CO₂ greenhouse gas mitigation. By quantifying the potential impacts of various policy scenarios, the report offers a robust, evidence-based foundation to guide Shandong’s long-term low-carbon transformation and support the design of actionable, measurable, and verifiable decarbonization strategies.

In China’s blueprint for achieving its “dual carbon” goals, Shandong Province’s transformation journey holds significant exemplary value. As the third-largest provincial economy, a major industrial base, and a top energy-consuming province in China, Shandong’s path to transition is not only crucial for its own development, but also provides valuable practical insights for the green revitalization of traditional industrial regions at the national and global level. This case systematically reviews Shandong’s innovative concepts, strategic planning, and outstanding practices during its low-carbon transition, aiming to distill a replicable and scalable “Shandong model” and contribute wisdom to green transitions in China and beyond. This article was first published in World Environment, Issue No. 5, 2025 (bimonthly).

On the fifth anniversary of China’s “dual carbon” goals, this article reviews the practices of the ACTION 2035 platform in local-level low-carbon transitions. It highlights how regions across the country have promoted synergies between emissions reduction and economic development through measures such as energy structure optimization, industrial upgrading, green finance, and technological innovation, giving rise to diverse, locally adapted pathways for low-carbon development. The article emphasizes that the ACTION 2035 platform has strengthened local climate action by enhancing capacity building, facilitating knowledge sharing, and conducting policy-relevant research. By supporting the exchange and replication of successful green transformation experiences, the platform has become a vital resource in helping local governments raise ambition and effectiveness in climate governance, providing practical and strategic insights for achieving national carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. This article was first published as the cover story in World Environment, Issue No. 5, 2025.

Vigorously developing renewable energy is not only an essential component of China’s "four revolutions, one cooperation" energy security strategy, but also a key lever for achieving the “dual carbon” goals. Confronted with constraints such as limited land availability, short sunshine duration, and technical challenges in offshore wind development, Zhejiang Province has seized the opportunity of building a national demonstration zone for clean energy. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, it promoted the large-scale and efficient utilization of renewable energy and energy storage. Installed renewable capacity now exceeds 50% of the total power capacity, marking significant progress in the low-carbon transformation of its energy mix. This article summarizes representative cases of new energy development in Zhejiang during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, aiming to provide valuable insights for other regions facing similar conditions in energy transition. This article was first published in World Environment, Issue No. 5, 2025 (bimonthly).

China is currently at a critical juncture, concluding the 14th Five-Year Plan and preparing for the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. In this context, local governments face implementation challenges in carbon emission dual control policy—particularly in target allocation, statistical accounting, and sectoral coordination. Recently, iGDP and the Shanxi Coshare Innovation Institute of Energy & Environment jointly released the report Basic Q&A on Carbon Emission Dual Control Policy. Structured around a "Ten-Dimensional, Forty-Seven Questions" framework, the report aims to clarify the background, latest policy framework, ongoing discussions at national and local levels, and research insights related to the dual control system—offering a reference for researchers and practitioners.

To systematically assess the pathways for Hainan Province’s “dual carbon” goals, the iGDP and Hainan University have jointly released a new report titled Medium and Long-Term Outlook for Low-Carbon Transition in Hainan—Using EPS Modeling. Leveraging the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS)—a science-based modeling tool for energy and climate policy analysis—the study develops a customized energy policy simulation model for Hainan. It quantifies the impacts of different policy portfolios on energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, investment requirements, and broader socioeconomic outcomes. The model provides a robust, scientific assessment tool to support research and policymaking for Hainan’s long-term low-carbon transition.

In September 2025, iGDP and the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion of the Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly released a new report entitled Medium- and Long-Term Outlook for Low-Carbon Transition in Guangdong—Using-EPS-Modeling. Using the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS), the study developed a modeling tool tailored to Guangdong Province to quantitatively analyze energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, investment requirements, and socioeconomic impacts under various policy scenarios. The study systematically evaluates feasible pathways for achieving Guangdong’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, providing insights to support policymaking.

A recent viewpoint article by The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) focuses on Shandong Province's policy and practical explorations in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) interaction. The article discusses how, through price mechanism reforms and market design, new energy vehicles can be transformed into flexible resources for the power system. It outlines Shandong's recent pilot policies, including the electricity discharge pricing mechanism, time-of-use electricity pricing for residential charging stations, and market price incentives in the spot market. The article also offers recommendations for further improving compensation mechanisms, optimizing market signals, strengthening grid planning, and increasing residential participation, all aimed at promoting the nationwide expansion and low-carbon transformation of vehicle-to-grid interaction.

On September 19, iGDP published a case study in the Global Times entitled “Breathing” Lingnan Near-Zero Carbon Building: Coexistence of Traditional Culture and Modern Technology. The article describes the integration of Lingnan traditional wisdom and modern green building technologies in Guangzhou. Hailed as a "breathing building," the Zhongjian Fourth Bureau Science and Technology Innovation Tower, located by the Pearl River, is not only the first super-tall office building in China to receive the near-zero energy consumption certification but also a reflection of Lingnan architectural culture in the new era. The design team drew inspiration from Lingnan’s "cool lanes" for ventilation and the sun-shading, rain-sheltering features of the "arcade" architecture. Combining solar chimneys with horizontal photovoltaic curtain walls, they achieved an organic integration of natural lighting, ventilation, and clean energy. Additionally, the building is equipped with an intelligent operation and carbon management system, which monitors and optimizes energy usage and carbon emissions throughout the building’s lifecycle. The article emphasizes that these innovative practices align with Guangdong’s green building development plans, transforming the energy-saving and carbon-reduction vision from blueprint to reality, gradually integrating it into the urban fabric and showcasing the potential future of low-carbon cities.

To conduct an in-depth assessment of the impact of different policy pathways on Jiangxi Province’s "Dual Carbon" goals, the Institute for Global Decarbonization Progress (iGDP) collaborated with the Institute of Energy Research of Jiangxi Academy of Sciences to compile the report titled Medium and Long-Term Outlook for Low-Carbon Transition in Jiangxi——Developing a Dual Carbon Pathway Using EPS Modeling, this study developed an energy policy simulation model for Jiangxi Province to quantitatively analyze energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, investment requirements, and socio-economic impacts under different policy scenarios. The research aims to identify and focus on key sectors and emission reduction measures essential for achieving carbon neutrality, thereby providing scientific support for the decision-making and implementation of Jiangxi’s "Dual Carbon" strategy.