CHINA BUILDINGS BURN ENERGY

The president of the China Real Estate Association says Chinese developers are "still building new energy guzzlers."

Urbanization is hitting China in a big way. Half of the world’s new buildings are built in China. 16% to 18% of China’s energy is consumed by construction and building materials as an emerging middle class wants bigger, more modern, more energy-consuming homes.

400 million Chinese will have moved from rural to city residence by 2020. China will spend 1.5 trillion+ yuan ($207 billion+) in renovations to old buildings. 99% now fail energy-saving standards.

China still building “energy guzzling” buildings
January 14, 2008 (Reuters)

WHO
Chinese environmental agencies and China's building and energy industries.

From a Chatham House (UK) presentation. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Only 53% of new Chinese buildings meet national energy conversation standards.

WHEN
Chinese official policy calls for new buildings to be 50% more efficient by 2010.

WHERE
Findings were reported in a construction ministry survey.

In an effort to establish guidelines for energy consumption and pollution, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab is working with the Chinese government to develop effective zoning. (click to enlarge)

WHY
- The construction ministry reported that Chinese developers have abandoned stated ideals about efficiency standards in favor of cost-cutting.
- Industrial pollution and increasing auto ownership are the usual suspects blamed for Chinese energy consumption but a booming construction industry must also be considered.

A variety of U.S. - China partnerships are developing in this field. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Song Chunhua, president, China Real Estate Association: "The findings are alarming. More comprehensive measures are needed to achieve the national goal…"