Five Years On: Local Perspectives on the “Dual Carbon” Goals – Low-Carbon Practices Leading Green Transformation

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.