Institutional Innovation and Industrial Transformation: Advancing Shandong’s Low-Carbon Transition

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).