Xinhuanet, Beijing, March 14, 2026 (Journalist: Zhang Xiao) On March 14, it is informed by BSAM, as the world’s first venue dedicated to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, National Stadium—widely known as “Bird’s Nest”—has announced a comprehensive initiative to achieve carbon neutrality across all large-scale events during this year.
According to Zhang Xin, Chief Economist of National Center for Climate Change and International Cooperation (NCSC), China is advancing its dual carbon goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality) in a positive and steady manner. In this context, government bodies, enterprises and social organizations are actively utilizing China Certified Emission Reductions (CCERs) to offset emissions generated during large-scale events.
Feng Fusheng, General Manager of Beijing National Stadium Co., Ltd, points out that the venue greeted 56 large-scale competition and performance events with over 10,000 spectators in 2025, with projections exceeding 65 in 2026. As a flagship example of diversified utilization of major sports and cultural venues in China, "Bird’s Nest" carbon neutrality initiative carries substantial demonstration value and leadership potential for the broader green transition and development of China’s event management and venue operation industries.
It is reported that China has previously achieved carbon neutrality for sporting competitions and cultural performances. However, these efforts have largely remained isolated, “point-based” interventions. By contrast, "Bird’s Nest" carbon neutrality initiative represents the first systematic implementation of carbon neutrality across multiple event types and business operations, entailing greater operational complexity.
Methodology for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in "Bird’s Nest" is described as follows:
Firstly, initiative will begin internally and extend upstream and downstream across the ecosystem comprising competition and performance events, logistics and construction service, in an effort to minimize emissions at the source.
Secondly, this involves scientific calculation to determine "carbon base figure". By referring to Implementation Guidelines for Carbon Neutrality of Large-scale Events (For Trial Implementation) issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, with full considerations to the actual situation of the venue, all emissions at six key aspects, namely, transportation emissions from consumables, emissions from venue operation electricity and heat consumption, emissions from spectator transportation within Beijing, emissions from travel, accommodation and meals of staff, embodied emissions from consumables and supplies and emissions from waste disposal, have been included in the calculation scope.
"To ensure the authenticity of the data, we break the data barriers among venue operator, performing arts companies and ticketing platforms, and utilizes first-hand data to precisely match the emission factors to the utmost extent. We have also introduced independent third-party verification". As mentioned by Wang Naixiang, Chairman of China Beijing Green Exchange, this will ensure that every ton of carbon emissions can be "traced back to its source and based on the evidence".
Last but not the least, standard offsetting process is a must to ensure "authentic carbon neutrality". According to Wang Naixiang, for the remaining emissions that cannot be offset after source reduction, equal volume will be offset through the use of CCER. CCER is initiated by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and is highly aligned with the international high-quality carbon credit system, ensuring the environmental authenticity of the offsetting volume, and demonstrating the substantial emission reduction efforts and climate contributions of enterprises.
"We aspire to develop a set of practical carbon neutrality solutions as references by large-scale venues across the country. In this way, we can prove that regular realization of carbon neutrality at Chinese large-scale venues is not only 'feasible', but also 'controllable'", Wang Naixiang says.
