The efforts have paid off. Last year, the number of users on the mini program soared by 2.4 million, Liu said.

Users can gain credits by riding shared bikes, using and charging electric vehicles, opting out of disposable tableware when ordering take-out, recycling and sorting their trash.

Among these carbon reduction scenarios, waste recycling surpasses all others in terms of public engagement and its impact on carbon reduction. Almost 85 percent of emission reduction on the Sanjin Green Living mini program was contributed by Aifenlei, a WeChat mini program for online garbage collecting.

Liu said the center is still in negotiations with subway and public bus operators in order to incorporate public transportation as a carbon reduction scenario in Sanjin Green Living.

Given the sensitivity of subway ridership data, it is imperative that it is made anonymous before being integrated into the Sanjin Green Living mini program. "Technical teams from Taiyuan's subway operator and the center are in close communication," he said.

Lang Shuai, a 35-year-old Taiyuan resident, said, "Sanjin Green Living enables ordinary individuals to deeply engage in carbon emission reduction."

Lang started using the mini program in January last year and has recommended it to many friends. "The user experience of the mini program is quite good. It has changed my lifestyle habits, enabling me to opt for a green and low-carbon lifestyle as much as possible in my daily life," he said, adding he has made sure to commute by shared bike every day since becoming a user.

Contact the writers at houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn