The role of climate, construction quality, microclimate, and socio-economic conditions on carbon emissions from office buildings in China

Office buildings are now responsible for a large portion of the durable building stock's total energy consumption and play a key role in determining urban sustainability. Based on remote sensing and GIS data as well as statistical analysis methods, we found that building construction characteristics, socio-economic conditions, climate conditions, and microclimate contributed 32.27%, 18.37%, 13.84%, and 10.66%, respectively, to office building energy carbon emissions in China. Floor area, number of energy consumers, regional scientific investment, and heating degree days had positive relationships with office energy usages. Among these, the number of energy consumers had the greatest effect on OEC and heating degree day had the least effect. Technological progress may reduce energy demand, but the energy waste of office workers in buildings that adopt more energy-saving appliance, or admire for more comfortable temperature environment could offset these savings. Most of the taller buildings surveyed were constructed recently and equipped with energy-saving appliances, but these savings may have been offset by greater use of energy associated with higher income level, and greater support for energy spending from the government. These results provide baseline information for designing emission reductions programs and further studies.