Sustainability Tour 2024 - Weekly Blog#4: Promoting Sustainable Living Together

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Sustainability Tour 2024 - Weekly Blog#4: Promoting Sustainable Living Together

In the fourth week of the Sustainability Tour we have been to Beijing. Vlogger Xiaoyu explored three EU-China cooperation projects: the Shougang Park sustainable building renovation project by European architects, the sustainable features of the new Belgian Embassy, and the World Cleanup Day event, organized by the Estonian Embassy in China.

© European Union, 2024

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Cycling through Shougang Park: Discovering Green requalification within EU-China Cooperation

Location: Shougang Park, Beijing

Xiaoyu Sylvia continued her cycling journey, this time to Beijing's Shougang Park - a popular tourist destination in Beijing and a good example EU-China cooperation in sustainable architecture and design. She take the chance to explore Shougang Park, a place where innovation meets history. Her ride today was about 18 km, reducing carbon emissions by 3.6 Kg.

The Shougang Park sustainable building renovation project serves is a great case of international cooperation. The project team brings together technicians, postgraduates, and architects from the EU and China. In a cross-cultural atmosphere of mutual respect and affection, this project contributes to Beijing's sustainable development and a better quality of life for its citizens. Belgian architect Nicolas Godelet, who contributed to the design, shared with us his some ideas and interesting stories about the project, highlighting the immense potential of EU-China cooperation in driving urban sustainability.

Through careful planning and renovation, the project transformed what was once an old industrial area into a green and innovative part of the city. Xiaoyu learned that during the 2022 Winter Olympics, Shougang Park utilized eco-friendly artificial snow, and the venue has continued to host various competitions and trainings, ensuring continued sustainable use.

During her visit, Xiaoyu was fascinated by the environmentally friendly design and innovative concepts at Shougang Park. She cycled to iconic landmark buildings such as the Industrial Heritage Park, Winter Olympic Plaza and the Big Air ski jump. She was impressed by the transformation, especially the former industrial sites that were turned into multi-functional public spaces like bookstores and exhibition halls. She believes these projects not only preserve the memory of industrial history, but they also provide young people tech-forward and futuristic public spaces that enrich people's lives, sparking their interest in industrial heritage preservation and urban sustainability.

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Cycling for a Green Future: A Sustainable Journey inside the Belgian Embassy in Beijing

Location: Embassy of Belgium, Beijing

Xiaoyu Sylvia cycled to the newly openedd Belgian Embassy in Beijing, compleing a 16-km ride that saved approximately 3.2 Kgs of gas emissions. She was welcomed by the Belgian Ambassador to China, Mr. Bruno Angelet. Ambassador Angelet introduced the sustainable features of the Embassy building, highlighting how its eco-friendly and energy-efficient design was achieved through recycled materials and green technologies. Xiaoyu was particularly impressed by the Embassy's use of reclaimed building materials, solar panels, and innovative wood construction techniques. These practices minimize environmental impact, promote environmental awareness and contribute to the development of green building techniques.

The Belgian Embassy's architectural project demonstrates how traditional elements can be integrated with modern sustainable technologies to create a green building, highlighting European expertise and technical support in sustainable design. For example, the Embassy's walls are constructed using bricks from the old building-those bricks were grinded and incorporated into new ones. This is a perfect example of circular economy! The highest roof of the building is covered with solar panels, generating sufficient electricity for daily use, while the second and third floors are primarily supported by wooden pillars, a technology tested and certified in Europe for its safety and environmental benefits. Through these practices, the Belgian Embassy has become a platform for showcasing EU-China cooperation and environmental principles, playing an important role in promoting sustainable living and green building technologies. Xiaoyu feels that Belgian Embassy's sustainable architecture demonstrates respect for the environment. Even the wild birds are welcome and have a place in the Embassy's courtyard.

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World Cleanup Day 2024 in Beijing - Looking after Nature

Location: Chaobaihe River, Beijing

Xiaoyu Sylvia cycled 10 kilometers to the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in China today, reducing an estimated 2 kg of carbon emissions. Along the way, she admired the lush greenery of the city parks and clean streets, both outcomes of urban requalification initiatives.

The purpose of today's trip was to learn more about the "World Cleanup Day" event, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Beijing and part of a worldwide campaign that takes place every year. The concept of World Cleanup Day originated from Estonia's 2008 "Let's Do It" cleanup initiative. On December 8, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated September 20^th of each year as World Cleanup Day. For this event, the participating team adapted European environmental principles to the Chinese context.

Xiaoyu had the chance to talk with the EU Ambassador to China and the Estonian Ambassador to China. Both Ambassadors expressed the significance of the event in advancing EU-China cooperation in addressing global challenges of environment protection and climate adaptiation. They emphasized one notable feature of this event-it goes beyond merely raising awareness about environmental protection; it actively promotes clean-up efforts and encourages citizens participation. By engaging people in hands-on activities, the campaign inspires individuals to take on the pollution problem with their own hands and apply their environmental consciousness into tangible actions.

Xiaoyu was deeply impressed by the event, especially the participants' passion for the environment. Everyone was actively and enthusiastically picking up trash, cleaning up the riverbanks and collecting rubbish. She could sense their strong commitment to environmental issues and a sustainable future through their actions, which inspired her to look forward to joining similar environmental campaigns in the future. Xiaoyu believes that this initiative not only helps clean up the city, but also encourages environmental protection actions, raises public awareness, and inspires the community to embrace sustainable practices.

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Xiaoyu's wonderful cycling tour this week showed us once more how environmental protection touches every aspect of our daily lives. People from the EU and China can join hands to protect the environment and make our cities more green. Are you curious about next week's destination? Stay tuned for more discoveries with the Sustainability Tour 2024!