The Standing Committee of the 16th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress passed the Shanghai Green Building Regulations on Sept 27, marking a significant step towards sustainable urban development.

The regulations, which will go into effect on Jan 1, 2025, aim to accelerate the development of high-quality green buildings, promoting resource conservation, pollution reduction, and carbon emission cuts within the city.

The comprehensive legislation outlines principles, requirements, and incentives for various stakeholders involved in the planning, construction, operation, and renovation of green buildings. The regulations emphasize a multipronged approach encompassing government guidance, market-driven initiatives, and public participation.

A key highlight of the regulations is the establishment of mandatory green building standards. All new civilian buildings in Shanghai will be required to meet a minimum one-star green building standard. Government buildings, large public structures, and government-funded public buildings exceeding a designated size must adhere to the highest three-star standard. Furthermore, the regulations encourage the adoption of even higher standards, such as ultra-low energy, near-zero energy, and zero-carbon buildings, particularly in designated areas like the Lin-gang Special Area, Chongming Island, and the five "new cities" in the suburban regions of Shanghai.

To ensure effective implementation, the regulations stipulate responsibilities for various parties. Construction units are tasked with incorporating green building requirements throughout the project lifecycle, from design and material selection to construction and operation. The regulations also mandate the use of certified green building materials and promote prefabricated construction methods.

The regulations also encourage the green renovation of existing buildings, particularly public structures. Building owners are required to submit energy consumption data, and those exceeding specified limits will face mandatory energy audits and green retrofits.

Financial incentives, including preferential loan policies and subsidies, will be provided to encourage green building development. The regulations also emphasize the use of digital technologies, such as building information modeling, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of green building design, construction, and management.

The Shanghai Green Building Regulations replace the Shanghai Building Energy Conservation Regulations enacted in 2010.

Source: Shanghai Municipal People's Congress