China's factories shift to green: 8,000 national-level green factories, near-zero-carbon steel, and a plan for zero-carbon plants by 2030

China's industrial sector is undergoing a sustained green transformation, with over 8,000 national-level green factories now contributing 22% of the country's total manufacturing output value, up from 9% in 2021. Key examples include Baosteel's first million-tonne near-zero-carbon steel production line completed in December 2025, and Fangda Special Steel's transformation from a dust-laden site to a 4A-level tourist attraction with 39% green coverage. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment reports that 95% of coal-fired power capacity and 90% of steel production now meet ultra-low emission standards. The State Council approved a three-year action plan in May 2025 to accelerate green technology innovation and deep transformation of traditional industries like steel, cement, and petrochemicals. A new guideline on zero-carbon factories, issued by five central government departments, will begin selecting pilot zero-carbon plants in 2026, covering sectors such as automobiles, lithium batteries, photovoltaics, and electronics by 2027, expanding to steel, non-ferrous metals, and textiles by 2030. The shift is driven by both environmental regulation and growing recognition that green investments improve competitiveness, as seen in Fangda's profit per tonne of steel ranking among top-tier companies.