All it has to do to achieve this goal is to change its building regulations

Jan 30, 2014 21:11 GMT  ·  By
Study finds that China can cut its energy use by implementing new building codes
   Study finds that China can cut its energy use by implementing new building codes

Researchers working with the US Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory say that China has very high chances to cut its yearly energy consumption by about 22% by the end of the century.

They go on to detail that, according to their investigations into the matter at hand, all China would have to do to achieve this goal would be to take steps towards improving on its building regulations.

More precisely, the aspects that China should focus on have to do with insulation, heating, ventilation, cooking, and lighting, Click Green tells us.

Thus, should the country agree to promote new building codes having to do with the aforementioned issues, energy efficiency would be greatly improved.

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers say that China's cutting its annual energy use by about 22% by the end of the century is feasible, and that investments in high quality building materials are mandatory for the success of such an initiative.

Of the predicted drop in energy consumption as a result of new building regulations, 13% would result from rolling out better codes for new residential and commercial buildings in urban areas.

The remaining 9% would come having rural buildings also abide by mandatory new-building codes and retrofit requirements for all other buildings across the country.

“A 22-percent cut is a large change in China's trajectory. More energy could be saved with additional standards and policies, but this study shows that a distinct set of codes can have great impact,” researcher Meredydd Evans commented on the findings of this investigation.

“China won't find one golden policy that solves its energy and pollution problems. They need policies that are comprehensive and feasible,” scientist Sha Yu also wished to stress.

Given the fact that, for the time being at least, China is a major consumer of fossil fuels, it is to be expected that a 22% drop in its yearly energy use would help the country reduce its ecological footprint.