Pitch
Improving energy efficiency in buildings is usually very cost-effective, but significant potential remains to save energy in most buildings.
Description
Summary
Efficient buildings are vital to achieving sustainable development because they align economic, social, and environmental objectives, creating triple bottom line benefits. However, the scale and pace of current actions around the world are insufficient to transform buildings into engines of the sustainable, energy efficient economy. Buildings account for about 1/3 of energy use and emissions internationally, and this share is rising as people demand larger, more comfortable buildings in both developed and developing countries. Improving energy efficiency in buildings is usually very cost-effective, but significant potential remains to save energy in most buildings. Policies such as building energy codes have a proven track record in making new buildings more efficient.
What actions do you propose?
Reviews government policy options that can accelerate building energy efficiency improvements.
To improve the building energy efficiency throughout their lifecycles, in developed and developing countries alike. Policies are being developed to address significant market, financial, technical, awareness and institutional barriers to building efficiency. These policies will help enable critical market actors to make decisions to promote energy efficiency. They fall into six categories:
- Building efficiency codes and standards that require a minimum level of energy efficiency in buildings, appliances, equipment or lighting.
- Efficiency improvement targets that can move individual owners or entire geographies to action.
- Policies that increase awareness, information and market transparency, like competitions, audits, ratings and certifications, energy performance disclosure, and public awareness campaigns.
- Financial incentives such as grants and rebates, tax treatments, government risk mitigation guarantees, revolving loan funds, and policies that enable energy performance contracting.
- Utility programs like energy efficiency spending requirements, on-bill financing, advanced metering, and pricing that more accurately reflects the cost of producing electricity.
- Human and technical capacity development through direct assistance and workforce training.
Who will take these actions?
Architects, Engineer, construction companies, building trades, equipment manufacturers, government offices and officials.
Where will these actions be taken?
Worldwide
How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?
Emission level will be reduced for depending upon the government policy and action plan.
What are other key benefits?
Clean environment
Cost effective
Reduce green house gases
Save energy
What are the proposal’s costs?
Depending upon the government policy and action plan.
Time line
1-5 year baseline survey and building policy and action plan.
5-15 year implement policy and action plan.
Above 15 years assessment of cost benefit analysis.
Related proposals
References
http://www.globalchange.umd.edu/research-areas/energy-efficiency-and-mitigation/
http://www.institutebe.com/energy-policy/Driving-Transformation-Energy-Efficient-Buildings2.aspx
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