Energy Saving News
China Builds "Green"
Environmentally friendly buildings are becoming the trend in China, who are responsible for the world's highest level of greenhouse gas emissions and who also has the world's largest market by floor space.
China's development is growing so rapidly, and "all levels of government, designers, and even the general public are becoming more aware of environmental issues and how bad the consequences could be due to ignorance of sustainable design," said William Wong, associate director of the Hong Kong office of Arup, a global firm of independent designers, engineers and consultants.
Ken Cheyne, council member of the Energy Saving Association (ESA) finds China's energy saving development as extremely encouraging, and that saving energy is majorly influential on the world's environment and climate.
"Saving energy in buildings, who account for a massive 30% of global emissions, is the key to reducing the impact of our activity on the planet. Saving energy and reducing excess consumption result in reducing carbon emissions, the world's buildings need to become energy efficient in order to curb climate change." Mr Cheyne said.
According to the China Greentech Report 2009, published by a business consortium, building operations account for approximately 1/6 of China's total carbon emissions.
China is now following the US lead - Chinese design professionals are increasingly adopting US standards, such as certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an internationally recognized rating system designed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
China already has a number of LEED-certified buildings and more than 100 are under construction seeking approval, yet none have received the organization's prestigious platinum award.
As an example, Parkview Green, the 1st building in Beijing to make use of a "micro climate" to minimize energy consumption, is aiming for a LEED Platinum certification.
Also, the Linked Hybrid, Beijing's recently completed 8-tower structure by Steven Holl Architects, was designed to qualify for a LEED Gold certification.
"I think we design for the future; we cannot design for the past," Li Hu, Steven Holl Architects partner and director of projects in China, told China Daily. "A good building always provides opportunities for the future."
A report by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Boston Consulting Group estimated that "moderate" energy conservation, affecting 5% of China's existing buildings and 60% of new buildings, would have an environmental impact equivalent to halting global air traffic for 4 months.
Saturday 2nd January 2010
