The Square Hall and Water Courtyard, a landmark structure straddling Shanghai, and Jiangsu, Zhejiang provinces, hosted the 2025 Global Conference on the Environment and Sustainable Development on June 8, marking its first major international event since opening in May.

The conference, co-organized by the United Nations Environment Programme, Tongji University, and the Executive Committee of Demonstration Zone of Green and Integrated Ecological Development of the Yangtze River Delta, brought together over 400 representatives from 36 countries and regions.

Participants focused on cutting-edge sustainability issues, discussing solutions for ecological prioritization, resource efficiency, and green development.

The event featured keynote speeches, parallel forums, and roundtable discussions, gathering experts, policymakers, business leaders, and students to promote international academic exchange, technological innovation, and industrial cooperation in the environmental and sustainability sectors.

Notably, the four parallel forums were held in venues representing the unique characteristics of Shanghai, and Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces.

As a near-zero carbon building, the Square Hall and Water Courtyard, located in the core area of the Demonstration Zone of Green and Integrated Ecological Development of the Yangtze River Delta, also known as the Watertown Livingroom, integrates national near-zero energy consumption, green building standards, and Shanghai ultra-low energy consumption design standards.

It achieves an 82 percent overall energy-saving rate, exceeding the new national standard of 72 percent, and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 1,940 metric tons annually. The venue features building-integrated photovoltaics and other green technologies.

According to Wang Yongchun, deputy general manager of New Development and Construction Co Ltd, a company in the demonstration zone and operator of Square Hall and Water Courtyard, the venue is slated to host events like the Yangtze River Delta REITs Forum and the Taihu World Cultural Forum.

He added that it is expected to attract more high-profile domestic and international conferences, exhibitions, and forums, stimulating regional development and enhancing its global competitiveness.

Source: Jiefang Daily