Zhuhai FTZ to be full of earth-friendly buildings

Newly built 'green' buildings will occupy 1.6 sq km of the Zhuhai Free Trade Zone by 2020, and 90 percent will be green and above two-star by 2030, according to the recently issued Green Building Specialized Plan.

The FTZ administrative committee says that a green construction system and technology roadmap, along with scaled development of green buildings and criteria for full implementation, will be in place by 2020 as well.

Green building refers to both structure and use that are resource-saving and environmentally friendly throughout a building's life-cycle: from planning to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. A three-level rating system is used when application is made for a Green Building Evaluation Label (China Three Star) Design Label and a Green Building Label (GBL).

Existing public buildings in the zone are required to meet energy consumption quotas and complete a staged green transformation. Green industrial buildings will be gradually integrated into factories, and an all-region green infrastructure will take shape with significantly better utilization of renewable energy.

An expert panel will be set up to give technical instructions regarding green building pilot projects and put forward optimal plans. It will also review the provisions for green and efficient energy. The FTZ will incubate a Green Building Label project this year, two in 2018, and three in 2019, while endeavoring to earn a Green Building Operation Label certification by 2020.