Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson is today focused on making new construction in China more energy efficient by working with leaders to upgrade building codes.
Paulson has worked on the front lines of environmental protection in China for years and has the ear of the top Chinese leadership, the Wall Street Journal reports.
China is constructing more than half of all the new buildings in the world, Paulson says, and buildings account for 40% of global greenhouse-gas emissions. As the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, China could help to significantly reduce worldwide emissions if it upgrades its building codes.
“There’s nothing else I could do in the U.S. and have that kind of impact,” Paulson told the Journal. Paulson, a former head of the Nature Conservancy, recently hosted leading multi-national business executives at a Beijing hotel along with leaders of State Grid Corp., a gigantic monopoly power distributor, and China State Construction Engineering Corp. to discuss ways to reduce China’s greenhouse gas impact.
Some 100 million rural workers in China are expected to move to cities before 2020, keeping demand for new construction strong.
(http://www.wsj.com/articles/hank-paulson-targets-climate-change-via-chinas-building-codes-1415776456)
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 13, 2018
OSHA delays enforcement of beryllium exposure rule
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) voted to delay new beryllium exposure rules until May 11.
Codes and Standards | Mar 12, 2018
L.A. mayor proposes mandatory seismic retrofits for steel buildings, daycare centers, private schools
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has proposed a seismic retrofit requirement for vulnerable steel buildings built before the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
Codes and Standards | Mar 8, 2018
Net zero commercial building trend shows strong momentum
Almost 50% more zero energy commercial buildings under construction in 2017.
Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2018
Dept. of Energy says 2016 ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 would save 8.2% of energy costs
Favorable comparison to 2013 standard for commercial buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 6, 2018
Well Living Lab launches extensive study on how indoor environments affect people’s lives
Factors that impact health, performance, stress and resiliency, sleep, and comfort to be scrutinized.
Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2018
New guide helps planners assess innovation districts
The document is designed to aid in targeting resources toward innovative and inclusive economic development based on an area’s unique strengths and challenges.
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2018
Net zero commercial building trend shows strong momentum
Almost 50% more zero energy commercial buildings under construction in 2017.
Codes and Standards | Feb 28, 2018
AEC industry reported high levels of fraud, cyber breaches, and security incidents in 2017
83% experienced at least one fraud incident.
Codes and Standards | Feb 27, 2018
Smart surface solutions can improve disaster resilience, health and comfort in cities
Stormwater management, water quality, and heat island effect could all be impacted.
Codes and Standards | Feb 26, 2018
Bolstering energy efficiency would produce significant health benefits, ACEEE study says
Reducing energy consumption by 15% would save six lives a day.
