Buildings
Demand for energy in the buildings sector has gone up rapidly. So has the amount of greenhouse gas emitted as a result. With construction booming in countries like China, India and Brazil, this trend looks set to continue.
Success Stories
• Masdar City
• Wal-Mart
In 2004, the sector emitted about 3 billion tonnes CO2 (3 GtCO2) a year.
This was 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. On top of this, another 7.6 GtCO2e came from electricity used in buildings for space heating and to power electrical appliances (although this energy use varies by region and whether a building is residential or commercial). The residential sector accounts for the greatest part of the energy consumed in buildings. In developing countries, the share can be over 90%. This means the problem isn’t just about how buildings are designed and constructed – it’s mainly about how they’re used once they’re built.
Reducing emissions is possible. The International Energy Agency (IEA) says the building sector could save over 8 GtCO2 a year by 2050. This will take tougher building standards and policies, along with widespread energy efficiency improvements. The demand is there: recent research suggests that people are happy to pay slightly more to live and work in green buildings. And with fuel bills continuing to rise, this demand is likely increase.
Making these emissions reductions won’t be easy. Stakeholders involved in the buildings sector include architects, developers, investors, owners, and renters. Each have their own priorities. Buildings, along with the equipment inside them can also have long life cycles. So wholesale replacement won’t happen overnight.
However, the potential benefits reach further than the environment. Every US$1 invested in energy efficiency saves US$2 having to be spent on extra power generation. A 20% cut in the EU’s energy consumption by 2020 could also lead to as many as 1 million new jobs across Europe – many of which would be semi-skilled jobs in the building trade.
What can be done by governments?
What can be done by building
owners and developers?
Implement stringent building standards
Building standards, mandatory, proposed and voluntary exist in various countries
.
The most effective examples cover every part of the building process, from urban planning and minimum building standards, to measuring the energy saved from buildings once they’re finished. The EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is a good example. Adopted in 2002, it includes minimum requirements for the energy performance of new and large existing buildings, regular inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems and energy performance certification for buildings.
Implement energy efficiency regulations
Many governments are beginning to put regulations in place to internalise the environmental costs of housing and building – particularly by putting a price on carbon. An example of this in action is the move to ban traditional light bulbs – currently being considered in Australia, Cuba and countries in the EU. If every country followed this example and switched to energy saving light bulbs by 2010, it would save 470 million tonnes of CO2 . That’s half the global reductions needed under the Kyoto protocol.
Cut your energy use
This is the simplest way to reduce emissions. And for many measures, the upfront investment is small and the payback period is short. There are many ways to go about it:
- use energy saving light bulbs and appliances
- insulate walls and floors as well as the roof
- install efficient heating systems
- put in double or triple glazing
- add low-flow settings on water systems
- use passive design to make the most of natural light, warmth and ventilation
These energy efficiency measures are tried and tested. They’re also easy to fit into new and existing buildings – something Wal-Mart is doing to its estate with the help of Arup. Many of these measures can also help people save energy and money at home. For more household saving ideas, see Together.com.
Switch to low or zero carbon power
If you generate your own power on site to run your business, choosing or upgrading your system to one which uses lower carbon content fuel, or even better from a renewable energy source will make a big difference.
If you buy your electricity, choose a green energy tariff. This will encourage the development of more renewable energy. See the Power overview for more information on these options.
Support labelling schemes
Many countries already have voluntary labelling schemes in place to encourage responsible building. They include CASBEE in Japan, LEED in the US, BREEAM in the UK, Green Star in Australia and the Energy Passport in the EU.
Give your appliances a health check
Emissions of non-CO2 greenhouse gases, mainly from refrigerators and air conditioners, account for about 25% of total greenhouse gases from buildings.
Older refrigerating and air conditioning systems are less energy efficient and tend to have higher leakage of non-CO2 gases such as CFCs, which are potent greenhouse gases. Replace appliances such as refrigerators, coolers or air conditioning systems with newer models that don’t use greenhouse gases. More energy efficient models will also save you money on your energy bills. Old appliances should be disposed of in a responsible way too.
Think big
Developing Masdar in the Middle East and building the venue for the 2012 Olympic Games in London are two very different projects. However, they have one thing in common: both take a holistic approach to the whole life cycle of the buildings and the wider community.
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