Green building policies in China: A policy review and analysis

Green building policies (GBPs) are considered the most fundamental and effective pathway towards green building (GB) promotion. However, few studies have focused on policies from the multi-level gov-ernance perspective. To fill this gap, this study empirically analyses the historical development of GB gov-ernance in China and unearths solutions for future policy development. A total of 254 central and 1175 local GBPs during 2004-2021 are systematically reviewed and analysed from the dimensions of policy correlation, content, quantity, type and intensity. Key findings demonstrate that the central government stresses its guiding role by issuing a large number of direction-based policies. Meanwhile, local govern-ments increasingly respond to the central initiatives by improving their GBPs framework, forming a 'top -down' GB governance system. Over time, China has set more ambitious targets, achieved improved pro-gression and established a 'carrot-and-stick' system in GB governance. Accordingly, China's GBP develop-ment is suggested to focus on 1) alleviating economic inequality and facilitating regional cooperation, 2) improving legal and regulatory systems, 3) conducting policy innovation based on regional heterogene-ity, 4) establishing information disclosure mechanism and 5) developing market-oriented green finance system. This study provides a valuable reference for improving policy system to promote GB in other countries and regions.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.