The city of Nanjing in eastern China has started construction of Nanjing Green Lighthouse. The building is inspired by Copenhagen Green Lighthouse – Denmark’s first CO2 neutral building.
Yesterday, the Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Building, Martin Lidegaard, took part in the groundbreaking ceremony of the building, which will be located in Nanjing’s new green urban development zone in Nanjing High Tech Zone. A number of leading Danish companies in the low-energy construction are involved in the development of the zone.
China’s government has increasingly focused on the country’s growing energy consumption. The energy comes mainly from coal-fired power plants, and it creates serious problems with air pollution and increased emissions of CO2. Therefore, the government and a number of the country’s cities launched pilot projects to pave the way for a greener urban development with emphasis on energy savings in buildings.
Every year, 15 million people immigrate to China’s cities, and it is expected that nearly 2 billion m2 are to be built per year over the next two decades. Nanjing in Jiangsu province with its 79 million inhabitants is among the cities in China, which focuses intensely on green and sustainable development.
“China is the world’s largest CO2 emitter, and the buildings are some of the things that consume the most energy. It is therefore crucial that we make an effort here if global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced. I think it is incredibly encouraging that China is increasingly looking to promote energy efficient building symbolized in a landmark as Nanjing Green Lighthouse, “said Climate, Energy and Building Martin Lidegaard.
The idea is for Nanjing High Tech Zone will serve as one of the most advanced set pilot for a green urban development in China. Nanjing Greeen Lighthouse is to be built according to the same CO2-neutral principles as Copenhagen Green Lighthouse. The building will serve as an exhibition center for urban planning and include office and conference facilities.
“Denmark and China have a strong common interest in promoting sustainable urban development and energy efficient, and we can learn from each other’s efforts to reduce energy consumption and thereby jointly create more energy efficient buildings and cities. Danish companies have great skills and can deliver world-class solutions that are both energy efficient and of high architectural value, “said Martin Lidegaard.
In 2012, seven Danish companies in the field of sustainable urban development and green technology signed an agreement with the City of Nanjing to develop a part of Nanjing High Tech Zone to the life sciences industry and research park.
During his visit to China, Climate, Energy and Building Martin Lidegaard also entered into a cooperation agreement with the Chinese government. Denmark will help to ensure that the Chinese enterprises and buildings become more energy efficient.
