From November 9 to 21, China's 15th National Games will transform 89 venues across Guangdong Province in the Chinese mainland into a cutting-edge, carbon-neutral arena. This historic first aims to blend green design, digital innovation and waste-free strategies on a national sporting stage.
Over 90% of the venues have been upgraded or renovated instead of built from scratch—delivering big carbon cuts at the foundation. Athletes and fans will compete and cheer in spaces revamped for sustainability.
Take Guangzhou's Tianhe Sports Center: an icon of the Chinese mainland's sporting heritage. This time, it will host football, volleyball, table tennis and 3×3 basketball under a green lens.
“We installed insulated aluminum frames and low-emission double-glazed glass to reflect solar heat and cut AC load,” says Tan Haiyang, lead designer on the project. A next-gen direct-current inverter air-conditioning system further trims energy use by 11–23% beyond baseline standards.
All lighting has been swapped for energy-saving LEDs tied to an intelligent control system. On-demand illumination has driven energy savings of over 45%—a bright example of how smart tech can power sustainable events.
As the games kick off, they’re more than a competition: they’re a blueprint for zero-carbon events worldwide, proving that big gatherings can be both thrilling and environmentally responsible.
Reference(s):
Green, digital, waste-free: China's carbon-neutral National Games
cgtn.com
