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Energy and Climate Policy

Introduction

Energy use by buildings offers a tremendous opportunity for governments seeking to foster clean energy technologies. Sustainability-minded policymakers should focus on three interlinked policy approaches: 1) energy policy that favors energy efficiency and distributed renewable energy sources, 2) climate policy that recognizes and internalizes the cost of carbon pollution; and 3) standards and performance criteria for the building envelope and the building components.

Articles

Driving Transformation to Energy Efficient Buildings: Policies and Actions

Driving Transformation to Energy Efficient Buildings: Policies and Actions

Energy efficiency in the built environment is vital to achieving climate, energy and development objectives in emerging economies. There is increased recognition that the cost of reducing energy consumption is lower than the cost of generating new energy. But the scale and pace of current actions around the world are insufficient to transform the built environment into an engine of the low-carbon economy. In this 97-page original piece, the Johnson Controls Institute for Building Efficiency explores policies to create and transform buildings to energy-efficient buildings. It reviews and provides examples of cities and/or countries with policies in place or policies in progress, and the successes in those regions. In addition to the Full Report, individual chapters may be downloaded for ease.

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UNFCC Progress to Emissions Reduction Commitments

UNFCC Progress to Emissions Reduction Commitments

At COP-17, 182 countries – including developing countries facing rapid urbanization – made progress toward a global agreement to drive a transformation to energy efficient buildings and a low-carbon future. The IBE participated in events and proposed strategies for policymakers to accelerate improvements in buildings.

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Measurement and Verification: How Technology Can Change the Game

Measurement and Verification: How Technology Can Change the Game

The business of building energy efficiency continues to grow rapidly. A key to continued growth is credible measurement and verification (M&V) of savings to promote trust and confidence in the value of efficiency improvements. New technologies for M&V can help transform the energy efficiency business, in much the same way technology has changed the financial, medical and automotive sectors.

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Building Energy Ratings: Driving the Market Toward Efficiency

Building Energy Ratings: Driving the Market Toward Efficiency

Government policies that require energy performance ratings on buildings have potential to promote more energy efficiency and create green jobs. Such policies have been in place for several years in Europe and are gaining momentum in other countries, and among cities and states in the U.S. In this podcast interview, Andrew Burr of the Institute for Market Transformation discusses growth in the policies.

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MPG for Buildings: Energy Disclosure as a Tool for Market Transformation

MPG for Buildings: Energy Disclosure as a Tool for Market Transformation

The printing of miles-per-gallon ratings on new-car window stickers raised awareness of fuel economy, helped consumers comparison-shop, and pressured carmakers toward more efficient vehicles. Similar benefits may come from disclosure of energy efficiency information on commercial buildings. Four basic approaches are now being tried in the public and private sectors.

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New BPIE report provides energy performance and data on European buildings

New BPIE report provides energy performance and data on European buildings

For years there has been a need for better data on energy performance and other characteristics of buildings in Europe. Now “Europe’s Buildings Under The Microscope,” a report from the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE), provides data on residential and nonresidential buildings covering 29 countries.

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Proposal for a New Energy Efficiency Directive for the European Union

Proposal for a New Energy Efficiency Directive for the European Union

The European Commission recently proposed a new framework directive on energy efficiency for the European Union (EU).This fact sheet outlines some of the main elements of the proposal, which will be subject to negotiation and voting by representatives of EU Member States and by the European Parliament over the course of 2011-2012.

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China's 12th 5-year Plan: Opportunities and Momentum for Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

China's 12th 5-year Plan: Opportunities and Momentum for Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

China’s 11th Five-Year Plan (FYP) gave increasing priority to energy efficiency and climate change. The 12th FYP for the first time included formalized reduction targets for both energy and greenhouse gas emissions intensity. Commercial buildings can play a significant role in reaching these targets. Programs that may support that effort include enforcement of building energy codes, expansion of renewable energy in buildings, performance contracting, regulation of demand-side management, energy-efficient building labeling, and accelerated energy-saving retrofits.

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Building Efficiency Retrofits in Europe: Exploring Barriers and How to Break Them Down

Building Efficiency Retrofits in Europe: Exploring Barriers and How to Break Them Down

Building efficiency is widely acknowledged as a high-potential and cost-effective means to increase Europe’s energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and create jobs. The Institute for Building Efficiency reports findings from original research on barriers to energy retrofits and energy performance contracting in public-sector buildings, and recommends ways to remove them.

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Demand-Side Rules in China to Boost Efficiency and Slow Power Plant Construction

Demand-Side Rules in China to Boost Efficiency and Slow Power Plant Construction

China’s national demand-side management (DSM) regulations went into effect January 1, calling for power grid companies to achieve electricity savings using DSM amounting to at least 0.3 percent in sales volume and 0.3 percent in maximum load compared with their previous year. Integrating demand-side planning into capacity discussions can mitigate the need for additional electricity generation in China, where about 30 GW of coal-fired power plants were under construction in 2010.

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Unlocking Energy Performance Contracting in India: Encouraging Growth in ESCOs

Unlocking Energy Performance Contracting in India: Encouraging Growth in ESCOs

Energy efficiency in India is emerging as an important resource to support sustainable development and equitable growth. Buildings provide substantial energy-saving opportunities, but the market for building efficiency remains relatively small. Keys to growth in that market include development of energy service companies and uniform processes for energy performance contracting.

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Energy Saving Certificates: Trading the Way to Efficiency

Energy Saving Certificates: Trading the Way to Efficiency

Tradable energy savings certificates driven by government programs can help boost global demand for energy efficiency improvements. Programs in place or taking shape around the world show best practices that can help the ESC market grow, saving fuel and reducing greenhouse gases.

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Energy Efficiency Governance - Association Report

Energy Efficiency Governance - Association Report

The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently published the results of its global Energy Efficiency Governance study. Conducted in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Inter-American Development Bank, this study provides guidance on establishing effective structures to promote energy efficiency.

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Energy Efficiency Standards: Public Policies That Drive Private Markets

Energy Efficiency Standards: Public Policies That Drive Private Markets

Energy Efficiency Resource Standards and Energy Savings Certificates can help reduce energy demand and curtail greenhouse gas emissions. Programs in the United States and elsewhere illustrate best practices that can guide sound, innovative public policies and help grow private markets for energy efficiency projects.

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GLOBE Alliance Urges Action on the Built Environment

GLOBE Alliance Urges Action on the Built Environment

As delegates work to advance a new global climate change pact, 40 environmental and business organizations joined forces to urge governments to prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment and increase investment in this sector. The “GLOBE Alliance” held a press conference to urge action on the built environment.

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Reduce CO2 Emissions in Europe: Interview with Armin Mayer

Reduce CO2 Emissions in Europe: Interview with Armin Mayer

Program Manager, Armin Mayer discusses a number of measures recently adopted to reduce CO2 emissions in the EU through building efficiency and innovative ways to achieve energy goals including performance contracting and financing policies.

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Barriers in Conducting Energy Efficiency Projects: Interview with Manoj Raathor

Barriers in Conducting Energy Efficiency Projects: Interview with Manoj Raathor

Manoj Raathor shares insights from the Energy Efficiency Indicator results on various issues and barriers experienced by India and China as well as future trends.

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Trust but Verify – M&V: The Key to Monetizing Energy Efficiency Improvements

Trust but Verify – M&V: The Key to Monetizing Energy Efficiency Improvements

Measurement and verification means different things to different stakeholders, and the challenge is to find a way to measure savings on which all parties can agree. As energy reductions play a larger role, rigorous M&V is the key to quantifying reductions in energy usage from efficiency programs and projects.

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The Big Apple Takes Bold Steps Toward Energy Efficiency in Buildings

The Big Apple Takes Bold Steps Toward Energy Efficiency in Buildings

New York City’s Greener, Greater Buildings Plan has potential to streamline resource use in a city where three-fourths of total energy demand and carbon emissions come from buildings. It is set to transform and accelerate the pace of energy-efficiency investment in the city’s one million buildings, in the process saving New Yorkers an estimated $700 million in annual energy costs and creating some 17,800 jobs. It could transform the building efficiency market by expanding and enforcing the rules of the game.

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Jump-Starting Progress on Climate Change and Building Efficiency (Podcast)

Jump-Starting Progress on Climate Change and Building Efficiency (Podcast)

The National Resources Defense Council’s Lane Burt sees the United States falling behind China and India in building efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction. In this podcast, he tells how to overcome market barriers and drive progress through carbon emission regulations like cap-and-trade or a carbon tax, along with policies like building energy labeling, efficiency codes, renewable energy portfolio standards, and financial support for efficiency investments in homes and commercial buildings.

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LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Global Clean-Energy Technology Transfer

Global Clean-Energy Technology Transfer

A qualitative survey looked at business leaders’ attitudes toward a plan to create a center and regional networks to promote technology transfer on clean energy from developed countries to the developing world. Responses indicate that private-sector support for such an initiative could hinge on factors such as aligning the effort with business objectives, giving business a voice in its design, and focusing on high-interest regions.

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Efficient Buildings in China: Tough Policies Target Major Gains

Efficient Buildings in China: Tough Policies Target Major Gains

Aggressive new policies in China aim to drive substantial efficiency gains in buildings across the board, including a 50 percent efficiency improvement in new buildings versus old. The key policies include tougher building codes and enforcement, a building labeling system similar to LEED, and a strong emphasis on energy retrofits.

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Energy and Buildings in India: Setting a Course for Efficiency

Energy and Buildings in India: Setting a Course for Efficiency

Building construction in India is growing at a feverish pace, increasing stress on power supplies and driving up greenhouse gas emissions. Now, two key entities are laying the groundwork for substantial improvements in building energy performance, with initiatives that include measuring and benchmarking building efficiency and promoting energy-saving innovations in new buildings, where they are the most cost-effective to implement.

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Scaling Up Energy Efficiency in Developing Countries: Exploring Technology Transfer Programs

Scaling Up Energy Efficiency in Developing Countries: Exploring Technology Transfer Programs

With new, clean technology, developing countries can grow their economies while slowing or stopping the growth of their greenhouse gas emissions over time. This article and issue brief explores the challenges in designing and establishing programs that will be environmentally and economically effective.

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Carbon Cap-and-Trade: An HVAC Manufacturer's Perspective

Carbon Cap-and-Trade: An HVAC Manufacturer's Perspective

Johnson Controls recently presented one perspective on the opportunities a cap-and-trade policy would create to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

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Efficient Building Advocates, Meet China

Efficient Building Advocates, Meet China

China’s primary energy demand recently surpassed that of Europe, and is now on par with U.S. demand. In coming decades, moreover, as Europe and the U.S. experience modest growth in primary energy demand, China’s demand is expected to soar dramatically.

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UNFCCC International Climate Talks Strive to Develop an International Technology Transfer Mechanism

UNFCCC International Climate Talks Strive to Develop an International Technology Transfer Mechanism

On the heels of the Copenhagen negotiations the 32nd session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany discussed next steps for a global international treaty on climate, including the development of an international technology transfer mechanism and fund.

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Energy Efficiency Policy in the European Union

Energy Efficiency Policy in the European Union

Like energy policy makers around the world, the European Union has committed to pursuing energy efficiency as a first step toward a low-carbon economy. The EU has recently introduced policy proposals to help achieve the “Action Plan” goal of reducing energy consumption 20 percent by 2020.

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Around the Globe, Emerging Energy Policies Promote Renewables and Efficiency

Around the Globe, Emerging Energy Policies Promote Renewables and Efficiency

Access to reliable, affordable energy is fundamental to economic development. Clean energy is fundamental to environmental sustainability. Around the globe, energy policies are promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies as a way to deliver both.

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Climate Policy and Buildings

Climate Policy and Buildings

In an effort to address climate change, governments around the world are designing and implementing policies to reduce energy use and lower annual carbon dioxide emissions. Two market-based climate policy approaches--cap and trade systems and carbon taxes—may help spur efficiency investments.

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Raising the Floor: Improving Efficiency through Codes and Standards

Raising the Floor: Improving Efficiency through Codes and Standards

Codes and standards act as key drivers of building efficiency. Policymakers view the permitting process for new and renovated buildings and the development of new energy-consuming equipment as prime windows of opportunity to mandate efficiency.

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Reducing Carbon Intensity: Emerging Economies Pursue Performance Improvements

Reducing Carbon Intensity: Emerging Economies Pursue Performance Improvements

In leading up to the Copenhagen Conference of the Parties under the UNFCCC, developing country economies advanced energy policy initiatives designed to meet national efforts to reduce energy intensity.

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Resources & Tools

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Full Report

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Overview

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Opportunity

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Policy Pathway

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – NAMAs

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Codes & Standards

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Targets

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Increase Awareness

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Financial Incentives

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Actions for Utilities

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Capacity Building

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Financial Path

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Track Results

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Get Started

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Singapore

Driving Transformation to EE Buildings: Policies & Actions – Mexico

Issue Brief: Measurement and Verification of Energy Savings

Europe's Buildings Under the Microscope (BPIE)

California Experience

Institute for Market Transformation

Fact Sheet: (EU) Proposed Energy Efficiency Directives

Issue Brief: Energy Savings Certificates, ENG

Video: Barriers to Energy Efficiency Projects - Interview with Manoj Raathor

Association Report Summary: IEA Energy Efficiency Governance Study

Association Report - Detailed Paper: IEA Energy Efficiency Governance Study

Issue Brief: EERS

Video: Reduce CO2 Emissions in Europe - Interview with Armin Mayer

Podcast: Climate Change Interview with Lane Burt

Issue Brief: Energy Efficiency Technology Exchange and Capacity Building

Technology Transfer Private Sector (UNFCCC)

Public Policies Driving Energy Efficiency Worldwide

Bottom Line on Energy Savings Cetificates (WRI)

Energy Efficiency Resource Standards: An Overview (US EPA)

Bottom Line on Renewable Electricity Standards (WRI)

An Intense Push for Energy Efficiency (China FAQs)

Assessment of Savings from Codes and Standards (IEE)

World Energy and Climate Policy (World Energy Council)

Bottom Line on Carbon Taxes (WRI)

Bottom Line on Cap and Trade (WRI)

Guidance on Climate Change Disclosure (US SEC)

View all the experts

Energy & Climate Policy Overview

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