Beijing Releases Plan to Peak Carbon Emissions of Construction

China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued a plan on July 13 regarding the implementation of carbon emissions peaks for urban and rural construction. Under this framework, Beijing requires that carbon emissions produced by urban and rural construction projects reach a collective peak before 2030. Officials are also striving to fully realize the green and low-carbon transformation of urban and rural construction by 2060.

The goal of the plan is to establish a green and low-carbon development policy system and institutional mechanism for urban and rural construction by 2030. The level of building energy conservation and waste resource utilization will reportedly be greatly improved, and the utilization efficiency of energy resources will reach an international advanced level. The structure and mode of energy use are set to be optimized, and the application of renewable energy will be sufficient.

The plan calls for promoting urban ecological restoration and improving the urban ecosystem. Regulators will strictly control the number of new super high-rise buildings, and will not allow the building of new super high-rise residential buildings. Meanwhile, regulators of newly developed urban areas should control the ratio of commercial land and residence area, and promote the balanced integration and layout of jobs and residential space.

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The plan also requires comprehensive improvements to the level of green and low-carbon buildings. Industry insiders should continue to carry out green building-related actions. By 2025, new urban buildings will fully meet green building standards. Before 2030, the 83% energy-saving requirement will be met for newly-built residential buildings in colder areas, the 75% energy-saving requirement for newly-built residential buildings will be met, and the 78% energy-saving requirement for newly-built public buildings should be met.

In addition, property service enterprises are encouraged to provide house owners with services such as home care, housekeeping, childcare, fitness and shopping, in order to meet people’s basic living needs within walking distance. People are encouraged to select green household appliances and reduce the use of disposable consumer goods. Green and low-carbon energy use methods are to be advocated. New energy vehicles are promoted and the construction of community charging and battery swapping facilities will be improved.