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Shanghai, a city with a highly export-oriented economy, serves as a major hub for foreign trade. Although it
benefits from a strong talent pool in the green and low-carbon industry and a high degree of
internationalization in its enterprises, Shanghai faces significant natural constraints. With a permanent
population of 24 million and a limited land area, the city has very little space for photovoltaic power
generation or offshore wind power. As a result, the low-carbonization of energy is subject to these
geographic limitations. Additionally, due to its high population density, Shanghai also grapples with the
transportation and building emissions challenges common to “consumption-oriented” cities in developed
countries. In this regard, it plays a crucial as both a “pioneer” and “pathfinder” in China's transition to a
low-carbon economy. Moreover, its economy is characterized by a strong focus on international trade,
financial services, and other global businesses, alongside a diversified industrial and service sector. To
accomplish the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, it is essential to carry out comprehensive
carbon footprint assessments.

In response to the EU Carbon Border Mediation Mechanism (CBAM), the Battery Bill, and other carbon-
related regulations being implemented, there is an urgent need to explore a comprehensive product carbon
footprint management system. This system would offer additional pathways for cities across the country to
follow. Specifically, the approach should include the following: First, aligning with international standards
and establishing a product carbon footprint accounting framework tailored to the city's major industrial
products. This includes developing technical standards for carbon footprint accounting in sectors such as
iron and steel, automobiles, electronic information products, and chemicals. It is also important to enhance
cooperation with internationally recognized carbon footprint testing and certification organizations and to
actively participate in the development of international carbon footprint-related standards and
[11]
regulations . Second, leveraging existing industry platforms to build a comprehensive public service
platform for product carbon footprints. This would involve utilizing data platforms from universities,
research institutions, and other organizations, in conjunction with the manufacturing processes of products
of related industries, to develop an industry-wide carbon footprint measurement model that covers the
entire product life cycle. At the same time, efforts should be made to strengthen the capacity of carbon
footprint testing and certification organizations. Third, the government can improve relevant low-carbon
and green procurement policies, establish a dedicated fund for product carbon footprint management, and
prioritize supporting key export enterprises in Shanghai to obtain carbon footprint labeling certification.
This would further promote the green and low-carbon transformation of enterprises .
[12]
The calculation of the carbon footprint not only maps the relationship between economic efficiency and
various economic factors, but also represents a crucial class of production functions within economics. In
this context, carbon productivity, as a key indicator, serves as an important metric for assessing the
efficiency of economic activities and their input-output ratios, making it a vital marker of both overall and
resource-use efficiency. Looking ahead to the long-term development of carbon footprint in products and
services in Shanghai, the goal is to align with the regional integration and internationalization of foreign
trade in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. This includes, first, promoting the sharing of carbon
footprint data within the YRD region. The “Single Window” for international trade gathers extensive cargo
declaration and logistics data, which can be used to provide reliable information for enterprises to access
low-carbon supply chain financial services. This, in turn, facilitates carbon footprint tracking and carbon
emission measurement for enterprises in the YRD region. Second, actively engaging in low-carbon
development is a significant draw for foreign trade and investment. For enterprises, adopting low-carbon
practices is essential for gaining recognition in the international market and boosting competitiveness. For
Shanghai, it is a crucial requirement for attracting foreign investment and optimizing its trade structure. By
measuring the carbon footprints of key products, we can further stimulate foreign-related enterprises to