Sustainable Energy Future in China's Building Sector

Abstract

This article investigates the potentials of energy-saving and mitigation of green-house gas (GHG) emission offered by implementation of building energy efficiency policies in China. An overview of existing literature regarding long-term energy demand and CO2 emission forecast scenarios is presented, it is found that the building sector will account for about one third of energy demand in China by 2020 and would have significant environmental implications in terms of GHG and other pollutant gases emission. Energy consumption in buildings could be reduced by 100-300 million tons of oil equivalent (mtoe) in 2030 compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, which means that 600-700 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could be saved by implementing appropriate energy policies within an adapted institutional framework. The main energy saving potentials in buildings can be achieved by improving building's thermal performance and district heating system.