Chongqing- "The development of circular economy contributes to achieving the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality," said Xiong Ailun, an associate professor at the School of Business Administration of Chongqing Technology and Business University. "We should value the balance between economic development and environmental protection."

Xiong Ailun, an associate professor at the School of Business Administration of Chongqing Technology and Business University. (Photo / Xiong Ailun)

Reaching the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and boosting the circular economy, Chongqing promotes the concept of green, low-carbon, and circular development to improve resource utilization efficiency comprehensively.

Over 300 major projects in Chongqing were launched in the first quarter of 2023. The Shuanghuai Cogeneration Circular Economy Industrial Zone Project, with a total investment of four billion yuan (about USD 145.8 million), will facilitate Chongqing's green and low-carbon development.

"Chongqing is a city dominated by industry. In the process of economic development, more attention should be paid to reducing resource input, energy consumption, and carbon emissions, strengthening resource conservation, and recycling," said Xiong.

The construction of the Shuanghuai Cogeneration Circular Economy Industrial Zone Project aims to introduce washing, sludge disposal, and green building, relying on the waste heat resources of the Shuanghuai Power Plant to develop cogeneration circular economy industries.

In the Shuanghuai Cogeneration Circular Economy Industrial Zone, the waste heat of the Shuanghuai Power Plant can be converted into steam and transported to various steam-using enterprises through the heating pipeline.

Panorama of Shuanghuai Cogeneration Circular Economy Industrial Zone Project. (Photo / Zhou Kechun)

Thus, the waste heat of power generation can be fully utilized, which reduces production costs and pollution emissions in the industrial zone, truly realizing the goal of "turning waste into treasure." 

In addition, the circular economy industrial zone can help gather innovative resources and propel the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle.

"The development and utilization of recycling technology involved in the development of the circular economy has certain technical thresholds, such as the application of harmless disposal, innovative treatment, and waste recycling technologies," said Professor Xiong.

He communicated that it also requires more innovative talents and more investment in recycling technology research.

"The construction of a circular economy industrial zone can also expedite the wide-scale development of the ecological economy. For example, the recycling technologies of some discarded electronics and metals in manufacturing can be applied in other fields and different scenarios," added Professor Xiong.

Therefore, in the technological innovation process of the whole circular economy industry, some demonstrative and profitable innovations will be produced, resulting in the economic development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle.