The U.S. Department of State and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy research laboratory, recently signed an agreement to launch a new energy efficiency project in China.

The venture, in cooperation with the government of China, is one of 8 newly selected development projects chosen from a competitive field of over 90 proposals by the United States Government in support of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.

The Asia-Pacific Partnership, or APP, is an innovative public-private partnership that brings together 7 countries – Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, and the United States – to accelerate the development and deployment of cleaner, more efficient technologies. This specific effort in conjunction with the APP is part of a larger cooperation between the U.S. and China to improve energy efficiency in a country, China, where half the world’s new construction will occur in the next 10 years. 

Through the APP grant awarded by the Department of State, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, or PNNL, the leader in developing and deploying building energy codes and standards programs for the federal government, will work toward generating a manual for program implementation that can be replicated by cities across China.

Mike Davis, PNNL’s associate laboratory director, spoke about the project and what it aims to achieve: “The United States and China have a shared responsibility and a shared opportunity to help solve the global energy and environmental challenges.” “With this MOU,” he added, “we can be more flexible and innovative in how we can partner PNNL’s science and technology expertise with APP’s mission.”

Efficient energy use in buildings is imperative to protecting the planet. Because buildings can last 30 to 50 years, the designs implemented today can impact emissions for many years to come. China currently has the world’s second highest building energy use behind the United States. Adhering to stricter current building codes is critical for achieving China’s energy-goals and limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The United States is working with China to develop cleaner and more efficient energy for all the world to share.