Menu
Menu
Menu
Beijing determined to slash energy use in buildings
China continues to urbanise rapidly. Buildings are now the fastest growing source of energy consumption and carbon emissions in the country. Capital city Beijing, one of 23 pioneering Chinese cities aiming to peak emissions by 2030, is leading action to reduce energy leaks and pollution from buildings
Since the turn of the twentieth century China’s cities have changed out of all recognition. Massive economic and population growth have led to the clearance of hutongs, traditional interlocking courtyard houses, to make way for soaring skyscrapers. The growth comes at a price, however. By 2016, China’s building sector accounted for around 20% of the country’s total primary energy consumption and 25% of its greenhouse gas emissions, with buildings in urban areas responsible for the lion’s share.
Buildings are the fastest growing source of energy consumption and carbon emissions in China and could account for as much as 40% of total energy consumption in the next 15 years as the country continues to urbanise. In Beijing, buildings are already responsible for nearly 50% of total energy consumption. But change is on the way as cities work to stop the runaway energy consumption their growth has entailed.
The whole of China has experienced soaring economic growth and rapid urbanisation in recent years. The percentage of people living in urban areas increased from less than 20% in the late 1970s to nearly 60% by 2016, according to the China Statistics Yearbook. Urbanisation is set to continue with a further 255 million people expected to migrate to urban areas in the next 30 years. By 2030, over 70% of China’s population will live in towns and cities, of which 173 are expected to contain more than one million inhabitants. A building boom accompanied the country’s population growth, which has exploded to more than 1.4 billion out of a total world population heading for eight billion.
...
Try FORESIGHT - 30 days for €29
The deep retrofit of the Empire State Building showcases efficient use of energy, but more will be needed
Energy Cities, a European association of local authorities, estimates a city will need between €1 billion and €3 billion to reach net zero emissions by 2050
Inspiring architects to make buildings green and good looking
A goal to become the first carbon neutral capital city as early as 2025 is at least partly dependent on Denmark’s new national government throwing its weight behind Copenhagen’s aspirations
In an interview with FORESIGHT Climate & Energy, Frank Jensen, mayor of Copenhagen, explains why mayors and local authorities are uniquely positioned to lead the energy transition and implement measures to proof their cities against extreme weather
Cooperation and social justice are at the heart of plans by the historic university city of Leuven, Belgium to become carbon neutral, as is the radical idea of giving owners no choice but to energy-renovate their homes
City achieves global first with aggressive retroactive climate rules for building stock
Sixty-two per cent of people living in Copenhagen cycle to work or school, pedalling 1.44 million kilometres every day. The city has invested more than €40 per head in bike infrastructure
Even if many cities are finding it a challenge to meet decarbonisation targets, they have made progress over the last decade and are becoming increasingly ambitious
Architects in Copenhagen are creating islands to offer a new way for inhabitants and visitors to explore their connection to the city's coastal waters
The economic argument for switching from diesel to electric is gaining strength
Despite the massive amount of solar power output in Europe this summer and the technology’s falling prices, building owners are still reluctant to put panels on their roofs. Tübingen, Germany is introducing legislation to force change
