China to build zero-carbon factories, computing facilities

China is building national-level zero-carbon factories and computing facilities to align artificial intelligence expansion with carbon neutrality goals.

According to a guideline issued by the Ministry of Industry and IT, the country will begin selecting a group of zero-carbon factories from 2026 to set benchmarks for wider replication. Rather than offering a one-time certification, the initiative emphasizes continuous carbon reduction efforts and practical results. The Ministry said it will conduct random inspections and organize acceptance evaluations to recognize facilities that successfully pass the assessment as national-level zero-carbon factories.