Eco friendly business centre in South Korea
National Institute of Environmental Research
The greenest office building in the world has opened its doors in Incheaon, South Korea. It is a construction that emits zero carbon and uses only renewable energy. The offices are dedicated to the research on climate change and bring together the government commitment of reducing greenhouse gases.
The building has 2500 square metres and it has been launched by the minister of National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER). It is a new reference for the following buildings that will be built in South Korea. It is hoped that the building will reduce national CO2 emissions by 100 tonnes a year and it can save up to 100, 000 dollars in energy costs.
As said in reuters clean and sustainable growth is a pillar for the administration of President Lee Myung-bak and this new office of the National Institute of Environmental Research is a big step.
South Korea has become the fourth largest economy in Asia and one of its objectives is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 30% compared to projected levels in 2020. Since buildings are responsible for about 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in the country, according to the NIER, this new building has an important role in this policy.
Seoul exhibits some references of urban transformation for the improvement of sustainability and ecology such as the Chenggyecheon stream, which between 1948 and 1960 was covered with concrete and has now turned into a long stretch of public green space and natural beauty in the centre of the city.
This eco building is one more thing to add to the proposals of the government in 2009: to build green houses, improve the energy efficiency, promote the use of bicycles and electric cars and to expand the subway line.
