A 'green' building rises amid Beijing smog

"The government knows that buildings like the CCTV tower are part of the high cost economic model from a few years ago," says one leading Tsinghua University professor. "But local governments just want fancy post-modern designs that you can brag about."

Still, Chinese leaders at the top of the Hu Jintao government do want change. The new March 7 standards for construction are part of a massive new "sustainable development" policy in China aimed at rethinking agriculture, industry, construction, education, and the social good.

The city-first policy of former president Jiang Zemin, that focused on the infrastructure of China's manufacturing-based east coast is undergoing adjustment. In the area of real estate development and construction, the new five-year plan's goal "is to build an energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and sustainable society."

But untold layers of inertia must be faced in the daily decision process, experts say. Despite good intentions, there is a lack of follow through.

"There isn't much pressure for us to promote the green concept," said science ministry official Yang Guoxiong at last week's green inauguration.

"The national government has incredible intentions for a green future." says Mr. Mars. "Really mind-boggling. But we are in an interesting paradox, and I am asking, 'Is it better to have high ambitions, or to be realistic?' "

The new ministry of science building offers a checklist of green dreams: Roof-top solar panels provide 5 percent of the building's energy. Nine percent of the energy used is recyclable. Lighting is "intelligent," adjusting the level of artificial lighting to take into account the amount of natural light. Some 70 percent of rain that falls on the building is stored and used for watering and cooling. The building uses the energy needed for more than 200 people under the current Beijing standard, yet more than 400 work there.

Also, while federal buildings in Beijing cost $850 to $1,000 a square meter, the green building came in at $700 per square meter, largely by avoiding expensive marble.

Yet changing ingrained behavior is always slow. China doesn't yet have the green supply chain of parts, materials, and knowledge needed. The science ministry underwent three computer simulations for energy efficiency. But when the actual building went up, numerous assumptions didn't pan out. Some equipment didn't fit. Construction firms and subcontractors didn't always know how to work together.

"You can't just pick up the phone and call someone and say, 'Hey, do you have a green- standard piece of equipment,'" says one Chinese builder. "People are used to just doing their one job, and for this work people need to know how to cooperate."

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