The First Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM1), the first event of APEC China 2026, are being held in Guangzhou from February 1 to 10. During this period, delegates will have the opportunity to explore the mega-capital city and gain valuable insights into urban governance.
To achieve sustainable development goals, Guangzhou has piloted several national "firsts". It was the first in China to join the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Local Voluntary Review and was selected as the pilot city for the World Bank's "China Sustainable Urban Cooling Project."
Guangzhou made significant improvements in its ecological environment, particularly through strong ecological conservation efforts and the creation of a livable urban environment. As SOM1 takes place in the city, GO Guangdong will guide you through its key projects aimed at promoting green development.
Circular economy industrial parks tackle "garbage siege" challenge
Guangzhou, a megacity with a population of 18 million, once faced a severe "garbage siege". To address this challenge, the city has taken a leading role by establishing seven Circular Economy Industrial Parks, making it the first in China to achieve zero landfill disposal of raw household waste. The city's circular economy industry parks are equipped with a daily waste-to-energy incineration capacity of 30,000 metric tons, along with a biological treatment capacity of 6,100 metric tons per day.
A representative example is the Fushan Circular Economy Industrial Park, where solid waste undergoes unloading, drying, and fermentation before being incinerated. This process generates over 1.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power approximately 500,000 households and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.25 million metric tons per year. The resulting slag is recycled into eco-friendly bricks, while treated wastewater is used for irrigation within the park. Waste heat from production is also captured and supplied for industrial heating, achieving full-cycle solid waste management.
From the observation deck in Fushan Park, visitors can enjoy views of lush greenery and modern facilities arranged with precision. The air carries the pleasant aroma of coffee rather than the stench of garbage. This site has also become an eco-environmental science education center, providing immersive experiences for both domestic and international visitors. To date, the facility has welcomed delegations from approximately 44 countries and regions, promoting the exchange of environmental protection technologies and fostering cooperation.
Guangzhou's electric transport transformation gains global recognition
As a major commercial hub, Guangzhou faced significant urban air pollution primarily caused by emissions from buses, taxis, and private vehicles. This pollution not only degraded air quality but also posed public health risks, requiring a comprehensive upgrade of the city's transportation system.
Starting in 2017, with support from the municipal government, Guangzhou Public Transport Group launched the "Guangzhou Public Transport Electrification" project. Through this initiative, it deployed 12,000 electric buses and nearly 10,000 electric taxis, supported by 400 charging stations, creating one of the world's largest fully electrified bus networks.
The results so far have been dramatic in bringing cleaner air. Within eight years, Guangzhou has reduced nearly 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions, while the concentration of PM2.5 particulate matter in the air has dropped by 40 percent.
In addition, the project has introduced an innovative battery recycling model by establishing China's first battery hospital, which helps extend battery lifespans and reduces full-cycle costs.
As the first battery storage station of its kind in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Yanling storage project is expected to save approximately 4 million RMB in electricity costs over its lifecycle. The system uses retired lithium-iron phosphate bus batteries, which are diagnostically screened, reassembled with balancing modules, and redeployed, thereby achieving a "second life" through intelligent management.
Moreover, the Shima Industrial Park's battery hospital exemplifies the city's strong commitment to a comprehensive battery life-cycle ecology. Specialists there design customized revival plans for each battery and have developed a 24V starter lithium battery for electric buses that lasts 8 to 10 years, aligning with vehicle lifecycles and minimizing waste.
The project recently received international acclaim, becoming a finalist for the 2025 Earthshot Prize, which was established by Prince William in 2020.
World's largest urban wetland preserved through micro-renovation approach
Nestled in the heart of Guangzhou, the 1,100-hectare Haizhu National Wetland Park, three times the size of New York's Central Park, stands as the largest urban central wetland in a megacity globally.
Once a degraded orchard plagued by polluted waterways and habitat loss, the site has been transformed through a "micro-renovation, minimal intervention" approach. Instead of large-scale construction, engineers gently reshaped topography, widened rivers to create shallow beaches for waterbirds, and restored native fruit trees, reviving the ecosystem while honoring centuries of agricultural heritage.
The results are striking. Bird species surged from 72 to 202, vascular plants from 294 to 835, and insects from 42 to 903. Technology plays a key role as drones with thermal imaging and hyperspectral sensors monitor water quality, while AI-powered bird recognition systems track species. The wetland also harnesses the Pearl River's tides to flush and purify water naturally, elevating water quality from Grade V (heavily polluted) to Grade III (good).
Recognized as China's first urban wetland on the IUCN Green List and listed as an Internationally Important Wetland in 2023, Haizhu Wetland demonstrates how cities can harmonize development with ecology. Its success underscores Guangzhou's commitment to sustainable urban governance, blending scientific innovation with public engagement to create a "green lung" for millions.
Reporter| Yin Juewen
Poster| Yang Chenyue