Energy Efficiency in Buildings
The building sector accounts for about one-third of global energy use and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Widespread implementation of progressive policies that encourage the use of the best available technologies, low-energy building design and energy efficiency renovation can deliver 25-50 percent reductions in energy demand from new and existing buildings. Achieving such savings would not only significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also reduce costs, create jobs, provide cost-effective energy capacity and improve the comfort, health and environment in communities.
Published by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), this new report finds that in 2020 the buildings and construction sector accounted for 36 percent of global final energy consumption and 37 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions, as compared to other end-use sectors. To achieve the Paris Agreement, the sector must almost completely decarbonize by 2050.
The Building Efficiency Accelerator turns global expertise into action to accelerate the local implementation of building efficiency policies and programs.
Partner initiatives
Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA)
BEA is a public-private collaboration that turns global expertise into action to accelerate local government implementation of building efficiency policies and programs. The BEA partnership, currently comprised of over 35 companies and organizations, is committed to assisting subnational governments to take action on building efficiency. BEA has partnered with more than 25 cities around the globe, each of which has committed to implement at least one building efficiency policy, to pursue one demonstration project, and to track their progress.
Zero Carbon Building Accelerator
The Zero Carbon Building Accelerator helps governments eliminate building sector CO2 emissions. Together with participating ministries, it will engage jurisdictions in Colombia, Turkey and additional countries to develop and implement action plans aligned with national roadmaps. The accelerator helps governments eliminate building sector CO2 emissions through four strategies: outreach, dialogue, planning, and supporting enabling action to accelerate market transformation towards zero carbon buildings.
Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC)
GlobalABC works towards a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector. The objectives include raising ambitions to meet the Paris climate goals and mobilizing all actors along the value chain. The GlobalABC advocates for market transformation, tracks progress in its annual Global Status Report, and develops policy guidance through roadmaps.
Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP)
BEEP is a bilateral cooperation project between the Ministry of Power, the Government of India, and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) of the Swiss Confederation to help mainstream energy-efficient and thermally comfortable building design. Key projects include the Energy Efficiency Building Code for Residential Buildings development and the External Movable Shading Systems research.
Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB)
PEEB is catalysed by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) and was initiated by the governments of France and Germany at COP22. It combines the expertise of its implementing agencies Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and Agence de la Transition Écologique (ADEME).
Building efficiency resources
This tool supports decision makers in identifying a starting point for incorporating building activities in their Nationally Determined Contributions.
These roadmaps help set pathways to the decarbonization of the buildings and construction sector in Africa, Asia and Latin America by 2050.
Publications to support energy efficiency in buildings developed by the Programme on Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Knowledge Management System of buildings resources hosted at the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency in support of the Building Efficiency Accelerator