A review of carbon footprint reduction of green building technologies in China

Green building technologies (GBTs) play an important role in carbon emission reduction in the building sector. China is currently in the booming phase of green buildings construction and numerous studies have been conducted on GBTs, especially on the potential of reducing buildings’ energy consumption and carbon emissions. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of various GBTs, including high performance envelope, lighting and daylighting, natural ventilation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and the utilization of renewable energy. After describing the phases of the building life cycle and the calculation method of building carbon emissions, the literature review focuses on the applications of GBTs in different climate areas in China as well as the main findings and innovations on their carbon reduction potentials. Finally, recommendations for GBTs development are proposed based on the existing researches to facilitate carbon neutrality in the building sector.