ISO/TR 37115-1:2026, Sustainable cities and communities-Net zero carbon cities-Part 1: Use cases, was officially released on March 17, 2026. It is the first international regulation in the field of net-zero cities, proposed and developed by CNIS in collaboration with relevant units, including State Grid Sichuan Electric Power Company, Beijing Future Science City Administrative Committee, China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city, China Resources Recycling Group, Shandong Hi-speed Group, Chengde Science and Technology Bureau, Huzhou Science and Technology Bureau, and Yudao Shifang Group. It will provide practical references for global cities to achieve goals of carbon peak and neutrality, offering valuable guidance for different countries to develop emission reduction strategies tailored to local conditions.

Currently, 151 countries worldwide have set carbon neutrality goals. Cities are the core hubs of energy consumption and carbon emissions, highlighting the urgent demands for standardized solutions. ISO/TR 37115-1:2026 responds precisely to the Paris Agreement and national strategies on carbon peak and neutrality. Focusing on the challenges of urban development in the context of climate change, the document systematically collects 20 typical cases from 11 countries, including China, France, South Korea, Brazil, and Italy, which cover ten core themes of governance coordination, energy, buildings, transport, circular economy, and agricultural and forestry carbon sinks.

Among them, seven cases are from China, including the Energy Valley of Beijing Future Science City, the net zero water plant in Panzhihua, the big-data-driven measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from urban power grids in Sichuan, the Shandong net zero expressway, forestry carbon sinks in Chengde, the transformation of small and medium-sized textile and garment enterprises in Shaoxing toward a circular economy, and Huzhous initiatives to encourage a green and low-carbon lifestyle among residents. These cases span multiple dimensions of energy, transportation, industry, ecology, and daily living, offering a comprehensive view of Chinas diverse explorations in net zero city development and demonstrating Chinas firm commitment to promoting green and low-carbon growth.

The second part of ISO/TR 37115 for principles and foundations of net zero cities is currently at the New Work Item Proposal voting stage and is expected to be completed in June. CNIS will continue to organize relevant domestic institutions to further develop international standards for net zero cities, continuously summarize and share Chinas practical experience in net zero city construction, and contribute more Chinese wisdom and solutions to the development of net zero cities around the world. CNIS warmly welcomes domestic institutions and experts to vigorously participate and contribute their valuable experience.