The 2024 Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through the "Zero Carbon Expo" initiative. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2024 Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo concluded on June 8, marking a significant achievement in environmental advocacy by becoming the first-ever event to attain a zero-carbon certification. Hosted at the expansive Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the four-day expo, themed "Path Toward Carbon Neutrality", sprawled across a 100,000-square-meter space and brought together over 600 companies from 14 countries. The expo showcased the latest low-carbon technologies and sustainable practices.

Shenergy Group unveils its 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report during the Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo on June 5, 2024. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This expo featured a main forum, six parallel forums, and an impressive lineup of 50 concurrent events. Companies orchestrated 629 activities, ranging from product launches to partnership signings and promotional events, all of which fostered a dynamic environment for collaboration and innovation.

The expo's targeted trade matchmaking sessions honed in on green supply chains, energy-saving technologies, green finance, and public institutions, facilitating precise connections through tailored presentations and one-on-one meetings.

Over the course of four days, the expo attracted nearly 90,000 attendees and 126 visiting groups, underscoring its global significance and impact.

Distinguished speakers, including Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng and China's Special Envoy for Climate Change Liu Zhenmin, delivered compelling keynote speeches that emphasized the urgency of climate action and the importance of fostering sustainable practices.

Participants from the School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, take a group photo at the 2024 Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A key highlight of the expo was the launch of the Green and Low Carbon Supply Chains Casebook and the establishment of the CN100 (Carbon Neutrality 100) Green and Low Carbon Supply Chains Alliance, which is a collaborative platform dedicated to driving low-carbon technological innovation among key stakeholders in the green supply chain. This initiative aims to accelerate the transition towards sustainable practices and promote environmental responsibility across industries.

A display of prizes from the "Sustainable Day" initiative of the 2024 Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Noteworthy among the expo's initiatives was the Sustainable Day campaign, which is designed to promote public awareness and engagement in sustainable living practices. The event featured 25 interactive stations where over 15,000 participants took part in activities such as upcycling workshops, low-carbon lectures, sustainable food tastings, and engaging carbon footprint quizzes.

The expo also introduced the "Zero Carbon Expo" initiative, which leverages smart IoT, blockchain, and big data technologies to conduct comprehensive carbon assessments, track reductions, and facilitate carbon credit transactions, all of which ultimately led to the achievement of a zero-carbon certification.