"Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." As Shenzhen continues to make breakthroughs in economic development and technological innovation, the city is accelerating industrial upgrading, further transforming its economic growth model, promoting green living, and pursuing low-carbon goals. High quality, optimized structure, and low consumption have become the new normal of Shenzhen's economic development. Shenzhen is an eco-garden city characterized by picturesque green mountains and lucid waters, blossoming flowers and chirping birds all year round, with a forest coverage rate as high as 41.2 percent. In 2025, the city’s annual average PM2.5 concentration dropped to 16.8 micrograms per cubic meter, maintaining the best level among cities with a population of over 5 million in China. Concentrations of all six pollutants had consistently met national standards for 12 consecutive years, and the city had achieved "zero haze days" for three years in a row[1]. Water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP is expected to drop to less than 6 cubic meters, roughly one seventh of the national average and a cumulative decline of 20 percent from 2020, putting Shenzhen’s water efficiency on par with that of world advanced cities[2]. The city's carbon emission intensity is kept at one fifth of the national average[3].

In terms of ecological civilization construction, a number of high-quality parks have been built, including Talent Park, Xiangmi Park, and the Western Coastal Leisure Belt of Shenzhen Bay. The city is also home to the Guangdong Neilingding-Futian National Nature Reserve, the only nature reserve located in the heart of a city and the smallest in area nationwide. The “Shenzhen Blue” (blue sky) and “Shenzhen Green” (green environment) have become the city’s most shining highlights. Shenzhen ranks first in urban green competitiveness among 289 cities nationwide. It is also the first sub-provincial city in China to be recognized as a “National Model City for Ecological Civilization Construction”[4]. In addition, Shenzhen has received a number of honorary titles, including the first Asian Urban Planning Award from the International Union of Architects (UIA), National Garden City, International “Garden City”, UNEP “Global 500” Award, National Health City, National Model City for Environmental Protection, National Greening Model City, National Excellent Tourism City, and National Civilized City, among others.