The 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) men's finals in Ningbo have achieved carbon-neutral operations, exemplifying how sustainability practices are increasingly incorporated into major international sporting events.

The tournament took place from July 29 to Aug 2 at the Beilun Sports and Arts Center, featuring eight teams from Japan, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, the United States, Turkiye, Ukraine, and China, with matches broadcast globally.

State Grid Zhejiang Ningbo Beilun Smart Energy Co provided power support for the event while its "Energy and Carbon Steward" team managed the tournament's carbon footprint. The team monitored energy use, improved efficiency at the venue, and prepared backup power systems to ensure stable operations.

Environmental measures were also introduced at the venue, including waste sorting, reducing single-use plastic bottles, and providing biodegradable cups at drinking water stations. 

The team tracked emissions from electricity consumption and waste management, calculating the event's total carbon footprint at 299.8 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The emissions were offset through verified carbon units issued under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) program, completing the process of measurement, reduction and offsetting.

Following two years of ESG reporting, the initiative achieves its first carbon-neutral certification for an international sporting event. It also showcases how energy management technologies can aid in making event operations more sustainable.