Organizations across China have submitted their ideas for low-carbon environments, as part of a project which will be implemented in 100 cities throughout China within the next three to five years.

The project is called "the Urban Blue Sky Project" and proposals have included everything from new urban traffic systems and different methods of illumination to low-carbon building materials and office layouts.

Xiang Xin, the chairman of the China Technology Education Trust Association, a Hong Kong-based organization which took part in coming up with the proposal, says that the goal of the Urban Blue Sky Project is to lower carbon emissions by 90 per cent in the cities that adopt the plan.

According to third-party calculations, the Urban Blue Sky Project will effectively reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by 58,000 tons per year, which is the equivalent of the absorbance of 582 hectares of forest.

"But the idea is rather innovative so we're prepared for the difficulties in promoting the Project. So far some internet cafes in Beijing have announced their participation and are willing to use more environmentally friendly computers," Xiang says.

The Urban Blue Sky Project will work on human, financial and material resources in urban areas to provide office and housing spaces that are more energy-efficient. It will be implemented by energy service companies in China and the money saved will be given to those who implemented these methods, so they can use them in their future operations.