Arup has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning and Design (BMICPD) to undertake a ‘Study on the Carbon Emission Inventories of the Beijing City Plan’.
This is the first benchmark study to assess and evaluate the overall carbon emissions of the Beijing City Plan.
The signing took place at the China World Hotel, Beijing. Signatories of the agreement were Mr. Shi Weiliang, Director of the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning and Design, and Michael Kwok, Director of Arup.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Gao Hucheng, Vice Minister, Ministry of Commerce, China; Vince Cable, the UK Secretary of State for Business; and members of the British Trade Delegation to China including Philip Dilley, Chairman of Arup.
Arup will undertake the study to identify carbon emissions sources, their contributions, and the different levels of emissions under different planning scenarios for the Beijing City Plan. The study will identify low-carbon planning strategies to reduce carbon emissions as part of the statutory plan for Beijing from now to 2020 and beyond. Arup’s strategy will focus on managing urban growth, economic development and transformation, green building codes, clean industries, green transportation, low impact infrastructure and renewable energy.
Signed during the British Prime Minister’s Trade Delegation to China, this project demonstrates growing co-operation between UK and Chinese governments, businesses and research institutions to jointly tackle climate change issues. This technical study will serve as a best practice example for other cities in the country.
Philip Dilley, Chairman of Arup, said: "This is another vivid illustration of the importance that China is placing on sustainability. I am delighted that Arup and Beijing will be working together to set out how a low-carbon approach to city planning can help a major and growing world city dramatically reduce their carbon emissions."
Vince Cable, the UK Secretary of State for Business, said: "Arup’s expanding presence in China is testament to the strong economic relationship between China and the UK, and to the benefits that trade and overseas investment can bring to UK companies. I am pleased to see more and more companies capitalising on the opportunities offered by China’s development. I hope that this week’s visit will serve to open doors for more UK firms, and I wish Arup every success in their future business."