Wood Recognized as a Low-carbon Solution in Shanghai’s Carbon Policy
On October 26, 2022, the municipal government of Shanghai published an official notice for the Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Implementation Plan with Science and Technology Backing, which has been announced with the participation of six municipal authorities including the Shanghai Management Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (Shanghai MOHURD), the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, the Shanghai Municipal Development & Reform Commission, the Shanghai Municipal Economy and Information Commission, the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment and the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission.
The Implementation Plan is focused on promoting low-carbon, zero-carbon and even negative carbon emission technology innovations, to support the carbon peak and carbon neutrality strategies for the city. Shanghai officials are working on positioning the city as an exemplary model for the national double carbon goals, to reach carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.
The Implementation Plan sets specific targets including research and development of low-carbon related technology systems covering energy, industry, construction, and transportation areas; completion of demo projects; establishment of carbon neutrality related laboratories and green technological innovation centers. 10 action plans were formulated to support the goals, which includes the zero-carbon technologies of urban and rural construction and transportation area.
To promote the green and low-carbon construction of urban areas, communities and rural areas, the Implementation Plan promotes the research and development of key technologies for carbon reduction throughout the whole life cycle of buildings, with focus on the integration of low-carbon/zero-carbon building materials during design, construction, and operation in super-large cities. It specifically lists the low-carbon/zero-carbon building materials for design and construction, calling for action on the R&D of new building materials as well as structural systems with natural materials that can sequester carbon, which includes wood structures.
It was the first time that wood has been specifically mentioned as a low carbon solution at the city level for Shanghai’s green and low carbon targets with recognition by the six relevant municipal authorities. During the China-Canada Green Low Carbon Construction Exchange organized by FII China, Shanghai MOHURD also reiterated the importance of the inclusion of wood in the Implementation Plan. China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality strategy are creating more opportunities for wood construction development across the country, with the carbon advantages of wood gaining more awareness among Chinese government stakeholders.