The government is to take a group of architects to China in November in an attempt to snatch a share of the country’s sustainability market.

Consultants keen to capitalise on China’s growing interest in green buildings are being invited to join a trade mission to Sichuan, the area devastated by May’s earthquake.

It is understood that architects including Arup, Benoy and RMJM have been invited to attend, and some spaces are still to be filled.

Trade body British Expertise is organising the trip on behalf of government agency UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), which hopes that British eco-skills can be a money-spinner in China.

Towns and cities in Sichuan need to be rebuilt and local governments have compulsory energy efficiency targets, but few local firms that can meet them.

The mission, which lasts from 3-7 November, will include networking events in Sichuan’s capital Chengdu and neighbouring Chongqing.

Douglas Barrett, director for construction and Asia Pacific at British Expertise, said: “We think Chengdu and Chongqing are the future of China. Local developers are increasingly interested in sustainability because they know they can sell it on and get something out of it.”

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