Policies for promoting building energy efficiency (BEE)

Abstract

Energy consumption in buildings accounts for a significant portion of total energy demand, the potential for energy efficiency in building sector is tremendous. As one of the world's most rapidly developing economies, industrial and domestic activities in China has a major impact on the world's energy market and the global environment. The Chinese government has taken several steps to control and improve energy use in the building sector; however, the situation of building energy efficiency (BEE) still deserves serious study to appreciate any problem that needs to be resolved. This paper introduces the current situation related to Mainland China's policy measures on BEE and discusses the government's role to enhance BEE control from four aspects: law & policy maker, incentive motivator, financing hub and advocator. Through comparative study with its developed counterparts, such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom (UK), this paper highlights the importance of government intervention and consideration of economic efficiency in the decision-making process of BEE promotion by Chinese government. The findings were further supported with the results of a questionnaire with building design professionals on the Favorable Factors (FF) for furthering green building development in Mainland China.