The world's largest carbon emitter and largest energy consumer will soon become the world's largest green building market.
The Xinhua News Agency reports that China will require new urban building construction and the renovation of existing buildings to meet with mandatory green building standards by 2015. China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) will issue a green building code that covers energy-saving standards. An NDRC official says the cost of meeting the new minimum green building code requirements will be $8 per square meter.
The NDRC is also encouraging energy efficiency in residential properties. Homes located in the nation's northern region will be required to upgrade the energy efficiency on their heating systems starting in 2015. Public housing complexes will also be required to become more energy efficient.
