Low carbon innovation and practice in Caohejing High-Tech Industrial Park of Shanghai

Industrial parks are essential communities for promoting sustainable development because of their high energy consumption and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission. Existing researches concerning low carbon development of industrial park mainly focus on carbon accounting and carbon reduction strategies. Explanation of how the activities are designed and practiced according to characteristics of targeted industrial parks is limited. Thus, it is essential to have a close look at the low carbon innovation and practice in industrial park. In this study, low carbon practice in Caohejing Industrial Park is targeted as a case study. Low carbon development ideas and actions in the general scope and particular actions are respectively examined. In terms of the general scope, measures including optimization of the energy structure, transforming of infrastructure and auditing of energy consumption and GHG emission are found well practiced. As for the particular action, approaches of industry symbiosis and energy saving in the building sector are analyzed. The contribution of GHG emission reduction approaches in Caohejing Industrial Park is then evaluated. Our findings reveal that transparent accounting of GHG emissions is a basic work for carrying out low carbon measures. Energy structure optimization, infrastructure transforming are also essential steps in the general scope. The commonly applied industry symbiosis is found effective in promoting low carbon economy together with energy saving efforts in the building sector. The experience of regional industrial development in our research can offer reference for low carbon development of industrial parks in helping to make the necessary changes towards sustainable post fossil carbon societies.