Global companies – architectural practice Woods Bagot and multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy Buro Happold have announced ‘Zero Emissions Design’ (ZERO-E) – a new model for large-scale sustainable development that significantly advances the construction industry’s contribution to realizing a zero carbon economy by 2050. The announcement was made at the 2010 Bloomberg Business Week Global Green Business Summit in Shanghai.

Based on a comprehensive, principled approach to sustainability, ZERO-E was created to deliver on the promise of zero carbon and zero emissions development which goes beyond reducing the negative impacts of new growth, to create buildings that contribute to the healing of compromised human and ecological systems.

As their 'test case', the joint team has chosen a typical master planned development type for China.

Ross Donaldson, Global Executive Chairman and CEO of Woods Bagot said, “The construction industry has known for some time that increasing the sustainability of buildings and cities is key to turning the tide on climate change. The ZERO-E pilot project confirms that using the expertise and tools available to us today far greater advances in building performance—those that comprise zero emissions design—are currently within the industry’s capabilities. This joint initiative is not only an entirely new model for sustainable design, it is also a call to action and an invitation to our development and construction partners to join us as we lead the way to a truly sustainable future.”

To learn more about Zero Emissions Design, please contact Ross Donaldson (via Faith Halliday) or Jeffrey Till, Design Director, Global Leader Sustainability.

Images illustrated as follows:
- Main Image - Rendering of the ZERO-E pilot study project.
- Bird's eye view of ZERO-E pilot study project.
- Commercial centre of ZERO-E project with wetland park
- Vignette view of ZERO-E mixed-use tower
- Living Systems in ZERO-E buildings help clean air and water
  for occupants
- ZERO-E mixed-use tower includes atria featuring living
  systems and bio-walls