Over the past decade, Chinese contractors have made significant contributions to the green and low-carbon transformation of infrastructure in various countries. For instance, Chinese enterprises have completed over 3,000 infrastructure projects in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), many of which fall into the categories of green energy, green transportation, and green buildings. These projects have achieved a virtuous cycle of economic growth and environmental protection in BRI countries, contributing to local sustainable development while propelling the world toward a more low-carbon future.

From small-scale projects to large-scale endeavors, and from China to the global stage, green buildings are gaining increasing popularity. China's years of construction experience and standards have also been "exported" through BRI cooperation, benefiting a growing number of countries and regions. With green buildings experiencing rapid development, what trends are worth noting in 2024?

Placing greater emphasis on sustainability and resilience in architectural design means that buildings will be designed and constructed in more environmentally friendly ways, enabling them to better withstand and adapt to environmental challenges such as climate change and natural disasters. In recent years, practitioners in the architectural sector have proactively played a role in addressing climate change and made significant progress. Currently, climate-positive buildings are receiving the most attention. Also known as climate-forward buildings, they are characterized by the following features:

Incorporating renewable energy into architectural design involves adopting technologies that harness natural, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or water for power generation or heating. The objective is to reduce buildings' reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution, and to lower their carbon footprint.

Some renewable energy sources applicable to architectural design include solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, and geothermal energy. Additionally, by generating sustainable electricity, buildings can significantly reduce carbon emissions during daily operations, thereby effectively minimizing their environmental impact.

In the past, energy-efficient design was the most highly valued aspect of green buildings, involving strategies and technologies to design and construct buildings that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Nowadays, the industry is striving to design highly efficient heating and cooling systems, energy-saving lighting, appliances, and equipment, or to leverage natural heating and cooling processes to help reduce buildings' energy demands. Today, expectations and demands for green buildings are becoming increasingly stringent, driving the sector to continually challenge the limits of performance.

Water conservation in architectural design involves employing strategies and technologies to minimize water usage and waste within buildings. As water scarcity becomes an increasingly pressing concern in many parts of the world, this aspect is gaining greater importance.

Overall, the goal of water conservation in architectural design is to use water efficiently and minimize waste, thereby alleviating pressure on water resources and supporting more sustainable utilization of this vital resource.

Green roofs and walls covered with plants and vegetation offer a range of environmental, social, and economic benefits, contributing to the creation of more sustainable and livable built environments. The recent development of vegetated concrete has strongly supported the promotion of green roofs. Under suitable conditions, green roofs can achieve the integration of safety protection and ecological greening, providing triple protection benefits.