A photovoltaic power station is operated in Suichang county, Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

East China's Zhejiang province is accelerating its transition toward sustainable industrial development with the launch of its Zero-Carbon (Near-Zero-Carbon) Factory Initiative (2025–27).

The plan, issued by the Economy and Information Technology Department of Zhejiang, aims to establish a replicable model for decarbonized manufacturing, turning the province into a benchmark for green industry.

Focusing on seven key sectors, including new materials, renewable energy, and high-end equipment, Zhejiang is encouraging national and provincial-level green factories to take the lead.

Each year, around 10 factories will be selected for pilot implementation, with expert teams providing ongoing guidance on emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and digital solutions.

The program has strict entry requirements. Participating factories must already hold provincial or national green certification and meet minimum thresholds of either 3,000 metric tons of standard coal equivalent in annual energy consumption or 500 million yuan ($69.22 million) in output value. Additional evaluations will consider infrastructure, energy usage, and sustainable production practices.

Factories must commit to continuous emissions reduction, integrating process optimization, energy-saving technology, and equipment upgrades to improve efficiency. Those achieving a 5 percent annual reduction in energy consumption or carbon intensity over three years — while maintaining at least 70 percent carbon offsetting — will receive top performance ratings.