Driving Global Transformation through Local Ambition
Recently, the mission titled "Public Transport Electrification and Battery Second-Life Utilization System", submitted by Guangzhou Public Transport Group, was selected as one of the first ten missions under the "Cities Countdown to 2030" initiative launched by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and featured in the Driving Global Transformation through Local Ambition -- The First Cities Countdown to 2030 Missions Portfolio. The first edition of the portfolio has been published on the UCLG website, featuring a foreword by the UN Deputy Secretary-General. A second edition will be released during an international conference in Tangier, Morocco.
The "Cities Countdown to 2030" initiative is a major global effort jointly promoted by UCLG and UN-Habitat, designed to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) through the actions of local and regional governments. It focuses on identifying high-impact, replicable urban transformation missions, building a global platform for knowledge exchange and policy dialogue, and providing evidence-based support for UN mechanisms such as the Local 2030 High-Impact Initiatives.
Guangzhou's selected mission, submitted by Guangzhou Public Transport Group, is titled "Public Transport Electrification and Battery Second-Life Utilization System." Since its launch in 2017, Guangzhou has steadily advanced the development of new energy public transport, achieving full electrification of its bus and taxi fleets. By 2023, the city had deployed over 12,000 electric buses and 10,000 electric taxis, installed 6,800 charging points, and enabled digital management of more than 180 charging stations through the "Ruyue Platform." At the same time, Guangzhou has pioneered an integrated "electric mobility + energy system" model, repurposing retired traction batteries for grid-level energy storage, enabling second-life applications of up to four years, and developing an energy ecosystem that integrates photovoltaic power generation, fast charging, and energy storage.
This mission has not only significantly reduced carbon emissions and energy consumption in the urban transport sector (with energy use cut by more than 50% and cumulative CO₂ emissions reduced by over 500,000 tonnes), but also facilitated the transformation of public transport from a conventional mobility service into low-carbon infrastructure. It represents an urban sustainable development pathway featured by investment-driven development and system integration.
Within the global framework, Guangzhou's mission provides measurable local outcomes for advancing climate action (SDG-13), sustainable cities and communities (SDG-11), and affordable and clean energy (SDG-7). It also demonstrates how institutional innovation can embed public services into urban energy and digital governance systems, driving holistic urban transformation.
As one of the first missions selected, Guangzhou's experience will be promoted globally through the portfolio, offering practical references and policy insights for cities worldwide.
Source: Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality
