Buildings that meet the government’s “green standard” for energy efficiency now save Taiwan NT$5.8 billion (US$183 million) every year.
The interior ministry’s Architecture and Building Research Institute first rolled out its green building evaluation system in 1999. Since then, nearly 6000 buildings have either received green building certification or have been considered for evaluation.
In addition to cutting energy expenses, Taiwan’s green buildings can also save more than 1.4 billion kWh of electricity and 70 million tons of water every year. Thanks to these buildings, Taiwan’s annual carbon emissions are also down more than 830,000 tons.
On Wednesday, the Architecture and Building Research Institute’s deputy director, Chen Jui-ling, said that government incentives and public interest have seen more privately-owned buildings meet green certification in recent years. 40% of buildings certified in 2016 were privately owned. Meanwhile, all public buildings with a total project cost of more than NT$50 million (around US$1.6 million) are now required to meet green certification standards.
The research institute hopes to spread interest in green buildings with classes and activities for tourists.