Farmers sort sea cucumbers raised near Lingshan Island. [Photo provided to CHINA DAILY]

In October 2024, Lingshan Island completed Qingdao's first carbon footprint assessment for a marine product — dried sea cucumber — produced by a local company. The result was 4.13 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per ton of dried sea cucumber, earning the product a carbon label that helped boost sales by 40 percent year-on-year, according to the company's chairman Sun Jiguang.

"Sea cucumbers are highly sensitive to their environment," Sun said."Water quality, temperature, food supply and tidal conditions all affect their growth. The waters around Lingshan Island are ideal."

For businesses, carbon labeling enhances environmental credibility and strengthens consumer trust, said Sun Bin, an official with the reserve's management committee. "It also helps identify energy-intensive processes and improve efficiency, reducing both emissions and costs."