As global attention centers on COP30 negotiations in Belém, Brazil this November 2025, a 15-member delegation led by CGTN's Yang Xinmeng took a detour to the Chinese mainland’s Zhejiang province. Their mission: uncover how climate pledges become reality outside conference halls—in villages, farms and community hubs where modernization meets sustainability every day.
During the field visit, international guests witnessed a range of grassroots innovations:
- Solar-Enabled Greenhouses: At Shanghe Village, rooftop solar panels equip greenhouses with 120 kilowatts of clean energy capacity, cutting farmers’ electricity bills by 40% and boosting winter vegetable yields by 25%.
- Floating Solar-Aquaculture: The Xiaoxiang Fish Farm’s 1.5-square-kilometer floating solar installation generates over 3,000 megawatt-hours of renewable power annually, enough to run local processing facilities and reduce carbon emissions by roughly 2,000 tons each year.
- Smart Orchards: IoT sensors and mobile apps let apple growers track soil moisture and pest activity in real time. Since deployment in early 2025, orchard managers report a 22% increase in output and a 30% drop in pesticide use.
- Community Microgrids: Villagers in Longtan launched a microgrid powered by biogas and solar, achieving energy self-sufficiency for 200 households and cutting diesel generator use by 95%.
These pilot projects reflect Zhejiang’s broader target to lower carbon intensity by 18% compared with 2021 levels, as part of its drive toward carbon neutrality by 2060. While negotiators in Brazil debate high-level frameworks this week, Zhejiang’s rural communities offer a living laboratory for tested solutions and real-world impact.
As the world watches COP30 outcomes, China’s grassroots efforts in Zhejiang remind us that climate resilience is built one village at a time—through practical innovation, community engagement and a commitment to sustainable growth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
