The International Energy Agency calls for action on energy efficiency in buildings
More than half of the CO2 reductions called for by the UN climate panel can be obtained by energy efficiency in end use, according to the International Energy Agency which calls for action in a new report. Energy efficiency in existing buildings is an essential part of this.
The report can be bought and downloaded here:
http://www.iea.org/w/bookshop/add.aspx?id=368
Energy efficient buildings can make a huge contribution to reaching the UN Climate Panel target of an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions from the industrialised world. In fact, more than half of these reductions can be obtained by improving the energy efficiency in end use such as buildings, transportation and industry.
This is a key conclusion in a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), “Implementing Energy Efficiency Policies 2009” and an upcoming book, emphasising the need to focus on new as well as existing buildings.
Saves money and energy
“Whether one regards this topic from an environmental point-of-view or makes a cost-benefit analysis, the conclusion is crystal clear: there are huge advantages connected with investment in energy efficient buildings,” comments policy specialist on efficiency in buildings Jens Laustsen.
“New buildings should be made so energy efficient that a small solar panel on the roof or other means of sustainable energy can turn the building into a net zero energy building or, in some cases, even an energy producing building that supplies more energy to the grid than it requires for heating, cooling and electrical appliances. Older buildings need refurbishment to reach lowenergy levels as well,” Laustsen says.
25 recommendations
In its recent report, the IEA has issued 25 recommendations on how to improve overall energy efficiency. Five of these concern buildings:
- building codes should be introduced and used for new buildings based on mandatory energy efficiency standards
- the authorities should support and encourage construction of passiveenergy houses and zeroenergy buildings [link til beskrivelse på www.rockwool.com]
- the energy efficiency of existing buildings should be monitored and refurbishment should be encouraged
- governments should introduce and use mandatory building certification to provide information on energy efficiency and create energy saving opportunities
- the use of energy efficient windows should be encouraged
“Many governments are facing enormous investments in order to meet the demand for energy. Some of these investments can be reduced to the benefit of energy security and the environment, if less energy is wasted. Therefore we stress the perspective of energy efficient buildings”, Mr. Jens Laustsen, IEA policy specialist says, and adds:
“We know what we need to do, and how it should be done. So basically, there are no longer any excuses for delaying initiatives to reduce the energy waste in buildings.”
Jens Laustsen, Energy Policy Specialist from the International Energy AgencyJens Laustsen will present his latest findings about energy efficiency in buildings at the COP15 on 9 December from 15 to 16.30 in the Bella Center’s Centre Hall. See the slides from a previous presentation held at the international editors’ conference in October.
