First appeared in
Asian Development Bank
100 Climate Actions from Cities in Asia and the Pacific
Xiangtan plans to engage in low-carbon renovations and retrofitting in 20 low-income communities to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Xiangtan plans to engage in low-carbon renovations and retrofitting in 20 low-income communities to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets.
The project represents Hunan Province’s first multi-sectoral approach to promoting low-carbon initiatives and will target conventional community facilities that are inefficient and utilize high levels of energy. Xiangtan’s municipal government has put forward a development program, beginning in 2021, that focuses on making the city energy efficient and resilient, and has committed to peaking carbon emissions by 2028.
9.5K
TONS OF CO₂ EQUIVALENT REDUCED PER YEAR
TONS OF CO₂ EQUIVALENT REDUCED PER YEAR
Improved insulation of walls, doors and windows will increase building efficiency, and photovoltaic and solar thermal rooftop panels will be installed. The introduction of LED street lighting, conversion from coal to natural gas cooking, and the construction of electric vehicle and bicycle charging stations will further contribute to reduced emissions. These improvements and the inclusion of low-carbon features will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the living environment for residents.
The pilot project is expected to spread to other cities in PRC, and is part of ADB’s $150 million loan to the Xiangtan Low-Carbon Transformation Project.
The proposed plan takes a multi-sectoral approach and will be implemented primarily in aging communities in the Yuhu and Yuetang districts, improving the living environment for residents (photo by Morten Jastrup).
The Challenge
Xiangtan has experienced rapid urbanization in recent years and is the highest per capita emitter of carbon emissions in Hunan Province.
Co-Benefits
Economic Energy efficient buildings will decrease utility consumption, saving money for residents and improving real estate value in the area.
Environment Ecosystem-based adaptation measures will enhance green spaces, increase biodiversity, and improve water quality.
Health Reduced greenhouse gas emissions will improve local air quality, providing public health benefits and improving the quality of life of residents.