SUS BIRD

Improving the Environment and Quality of Life or Inhabitants and Workers in China

The building and construction market with its emerging interior renovation and decoration activities is booming in China.  But there are severe health and environmental consequences connected to this development. Renovation and decoration employees are exposed to dust and solvents and inhabitants of apartments and offices to high levels of indoor air pollution. The substantial material consumption, waste generation and inadequate waste disposal as well as hazardous emissions create immense environmental impacts in China. With regard to sustainable buildings, the current focus in China lies mainly on the construction of new buildings and the ‘second’ building phase – Building Interior Renovation and Decoration (BIRD) – is often not considered.

Stimulate sustainable BIRD production patterns

To reduce the impacts on people and the environment that result from BIRD activities, the “Sustainable Building Interior Renovation and Decoration Initiative (BIRD)” project established and maintained a science-based product information system for decoration products. To achieve a meaningful exchange of knowledge, the project established an initiative, to be supported by Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the long run. In addition, the initiative developed and disseminated handbooks and information packages and support the adoption and strengthening of labelling/certification programs in China.

To disseminate alternative decoration patterns, the CSCP developed an interactive training course and supporting information materials for product designers, production supervisors and SME leaders. The CSCP also developed and held a train-the-trainers workshop.

Encouraging consumers and policy makers

Through marketing campaigns, the BIRD project addressed consumers, businesses and policy makers. To encourage these target groups to choose safe, healthy and environmentally friendly decoration products and appliances, the marketing campaigns demonstrated examples of good practice. For policy makers, the BIRD project produced several case studies and a policy recommendation report as support for political decision making processes.

The SUS BIRD project was financed by the European Commission in the context of the SWITCH-Asia Programme. For the development of this project the CSCP collaborated with five partners, with the China Standard Certification Centre (CSC) serving as project leader. Other partners included the Science and Technology Promotion Centre on MoHURD (CSTC), the China Quality Mark Certification Group (CQM) and the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (UNEP-DTIE).