If you live in Taiwan then you're aware of Taipei 101 (101 because there are 101 floors). Hailed as the world's tallest building for years, the massive structure was recently beat by the Burj Dubai in Dubai.

However, Taipei 101's management company just announced that they will seek out green certification in order to keep their place at the top of the record books by becoming the world's tallest green structure.

Taipei 101 will spend NT$60 million (US$1.9 million) over the next year to meet 100 criteria for an environmental certificate that it would hold over Dubai, spokesman Michael Liu said.

The office-commercial tower that reigned for five years as the world's highest building at 509 meters (1,670 feet) expects the U.S-based Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design to give it the certificate in 2011.

“We're focused now on becoming a Taiwan landmark, that won't change, and on going green. We'd be the tallest building to get a green certificate,” Liu said by telephone.

Taipei 101, he said, would work with its 85 office tenants to cut electricity and water use, while encouraging them to recycle more refuse. Annual utility savings should total NT$20 million.

Restaurants would be asked to bring in supplies from as close as possible to reduce transportation.

“We can reduce power, trash and water by more than 10 percent,” he said. “We're already pretty green. In principle there's no major problem.”

The Taiwan skyscraper, complete with an observation deck popular with tourists, has already met 60 of the checklist items, including double-paned windows to retain cool air.

Green towers are unusual in Asia, a region with the world's busiest construction sector yet one of the poorest records for eco-friendly building.

Burj Dubai, started at the height of the economic boom and built by some 12,000 laborers, will now become the world's tallest building. It was set to open on Monday as Dubai seeks to rekindle optimism after its financial crisis.

It's a smart move by Lu and the gang. Green is always a good marketing angle and it helps keep the building in the headlines.

They should create a special "Green 101 Tour" so when overseas visitors come to Computex and other trade shows they can check out the environmentally-friendly improvements. That will keep people coming through the ticket gates while also sharing some unique knowledge at the same time.

Taipei 101 and Taipei World Trade Center photo courtesy of Xiaohuz on Flickr.