* Full list of cited regulations at the end of this chapter.
As noted in the preceding topics, China has enacted mandatory energy performance, environmental and other green standards for all types of buildings. These standards are cross-linked and cross-enforced with the national and local zoning and building construction regulations. Since noncompliance with these standards and regulations could result in the refusal of planning or construction permits, Chinese authorities have fully effective means to mandate their required green initiatives, such as installing solar panels in buildings and district heating or cooling systems in large developments.
Some local authorities have implemented their own green requirements in planning and zoning regimes for local buildings and projects through local regulations and standards. The requirements vary among localities. For instance, Beijing aims to construct super-low energy consumption buildings covering an area of 5 million square meters and apply heat-pump heating to additional areas of 45 million square meters by 2025. As for Shanghai, it aims to complete the energy conservation renovation of existing buildings covering an area of over 20 million square meters or more, construct super-low energy consumption buildings covering an area of 5 million square meters or more and apply at least one kind of renewable energy in all new buildings starting from 2022.
In addition to regulations, local authorities also use contract terms in land-grant contracts they sign with real estate developers as a tool to mandate the construction of buildings with a specific green building rating standard.
As for renewable energy, the Modern Energy System Plan during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period* outlines that China will develop major clean energy bases in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang and Qinghai, as well as promote the use of hydropower, wind power and solar power in these areas. In addition, China plans to, among other things, use geothermal energy in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and nuclear and marine energy and wind power in the Yangtze Delta region and Pearl River Delta region. Local authorities are expected to also mandate these renewable energy initiatives through various planning policy tools.