Energy efficiency progress in the UNECE member States is reported, but flawed policy frameworks and lack of public awareness hinder its potential. This publication aims to elucidate the status of energy efficiency standards and deployment of appropriate technologies, and proposes general recommendations and priority actions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 76 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: United Nations

Energy efficiency in the building sector has made significant progress in many UNECE member States, but there is still room for improvement due to flawed policy frameworks and lack of public awareness of modern technologies and their long-term economic and social benefits. This publication addresses these challenges and aims to elucidate the status of energy efficiency standards implementation in buildings and the deployment of appropriate technologies. It also identifies good policy practices and replicable solutions and proposes a set of general recommendations and priority actions arising from the analysis.

Energy Efficiency in the Building Sector: Progress and Challenges

Energy efficiency in the building sector has been a significant focus of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) member States in recent years. The majority of these States have reported considerable progress in energy efficiency, but still, there is a gap between the potential and the actual implementation of energy efficiency measures. This gap is often attributed to flawed policy frameworks and a lack of public awareness of available modern technologies and the long-term economic and social benefits of energy efficiency improvement.

This publication is prepared in response to the outlined challenges and aims to elucidate the status of implementation of energy efficiency standards in buildings and the deployment of appropriate technologies. It also identifies good policy practices and replicable solutions and proposes a set of general recommendations and priority actions arising from the analysis.

Policy Frameworks and Public Awareness

Faulty policy frameworks are one of the major factors that hinder the implementation of energy efficiency measures in buildings. Many countries have outdated or inadequate energy efficiency policies, which do not provide sufficient incentives for energy efficiency improvements. Additionally, there is a lack of coordination between different government agencies responsible for energy efficiency, which can lead to conflicting policies and regulations. This can make it difficult for businesses and individuals to comply with energy efficiency standards and can result in reduced energy efficiency gains.

Lack of public awareness of modern technologies and their long-term economic and social benefits is another major challenge. Many people are unaware of the benefits of energy efficiency, such as reduced energy bills, improved indoor air quality, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This can lead to a lack of demand for energy-efficient products and services, which can in turn hinder the development of the energy efficiency market.

Implementation of Energy Efficiency Standards in Buildings

Energy efficiency standards in buildings are designed to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed to consume minimal energy. These standards are typically set by governments or regulatory bodies and are based on a variety of factors, such as building type, size, location, and occupancy. However, the implementation of these standards can be challenging due to a variety of factors, such as cost, complexity, and resistance from stakeholders.

One of the main challenges in implementing energy efficiency standards in buildings is the cost of compliance. Many businesses and individuals cannot afford to make the necessary investments in energy-efficient technologies and practices, which can result in reduced energy efficiency gains. Additionally, the complexity of energy efficiency standards can make it difficult for businesses and individuals to understand and comply with them. This can lead to a lack of confidence in the energy efficiency market and can result in reduced demand for energy-efficient products and services.

Resistance from stakeholders is another major challenge in implementing energy efficiency standards in buildings. Stakeholders include building owners, developers, and tenants, and they may oppose energy efficiency measures due to concerns about cost, comfort, and aesthetics. This can make it difficult for governments and regulatory bodies to implement energy efficiency standards and can result in reduced energy efficiency gains.

Deployment of Appropriate Technologies

Deployment of appropriate technologies is essential for achieving energy efficiency in buildings. Appropriate technologies include energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, as well as renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy. However, the deployment of these technologies can be challenging due to a variety of factors, such as cost, complexity, and resistance from stakeholders.

One of the main challenges in deploying appropriate technologies is the cost of installation. Many businesses and individuals cannot afford to invest in the necessary equipment and infrastructure to deploy these technologies, which can result in reduced energy efficiency gains. Additionally, the complexity of these technologies can make it difficult for businesses and individuals to understand and install them, which can lead to a lack of confidence in the energy efficiency market and can result in reduced demand for energy-efficient products and services.

Resistance from stakeholders is another major challenge in deploying appropriate technologies. Stakeholders include building owners, developers, and tenants, and they may oppose these technologies due to concerns about cost, comfort, and aesthetics. This can make it difficult for governments and regulatory bodies to deploy appropriate technologies and can result in reduced energy efficiency gains.

Good Policy Practices and Replicable Solutions

Good policy practices and replicable solutions are essential for promoting energy efficiency in buildings. Governments and regulatory bodies can play a significant role in promoting energy efficiency by setting clear and effective energy efficiency policies, providing incentives for energy efficiency improvements, and enforcing energy efficiency standards. Additionally, businesses and individuals can play a significant role in promoting energy efficiency by adopting energy-efficient practices and technologies.

Clear and effective energy efficiency policies are essential for promoting energy efficiency. Governments and regulatory bodies should set clear and effective energy efficiency policies that provide sufficient incentives for energy efficiency improvements. These policies should be based on a variety of factors, such as building type, size, location, and occupancy, and should be designed to encourage businesses and individuals to adopt energy-efficient practices and technologies.

Incentives for energy efficiency improvements are also essential for promoting energy efficiency. Governments and regulatory bodies can provide incentives such as tax credits, rebates, and grants to businesses and individuals who adopt energy-efficient practices and technologies. These incentives can help to reduce the cost of energy-efficient technologies and practices, which can make them more accessible to businesses and individuals.

Enforcement of energy efficiency standards is also essential for promoting energy efficiency. Governments and regulatory bodies should enforce energy efficiency standards to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed to consume minimal energy. This can be done through inspections, fines, and other penalties.

Priority Actions for Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Priority actions for energy efficiency in buildings include the following:

• Setting clear and effective energy efficiency policies: Governments and regulatory bodies should set clear and effective energy efficiency policies that provide sufficient incentives for energy efficiency improvements. These policies should be based on a variety of factors, such as building type, size, location, and occupancy, and should be designed to encourage businesses and individuals to adopt energy-efficient practices and technologies.


• Providing incentives for energy efficiency improvements: Governments and regulatory bodies can provide incentives such as tax credits, rebates, and grants to businesses and individuals who adopt energy-efficient practices and technologies. These incentives can help to reduce the cost of energy-efficient technologies and practices, which can make them more accessible to businesses and individuals.


• Enforcing energy efficiency standards: Governments and regulatory bodies should enforce energy efficiency standards to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed to consume minimal energy. This can be done through inspections, fines, and other penalties.


• Promoting energy-efficient practices and technologies: Governments and regulatory bodies can promote energy-efficient practices and technologies by providing information and training to businesses and individuals. This can include training on energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, as well as renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy.


• Investing in research and development: Governments and regulatory bodies can invest in research and development to develop new and innovative energy-efficient technologies and practices. This can help to reduce the cost of energy-efficient technologies and practices, which can make them more accessible to businesses and individuals.


• Collaborating with stakeholders: Governments and regulatory bodies can collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement energy efficiency policies and practices. This can include working with building owners, developers, and tenants to identify and address barriers to energy efficiency.

In conclusion, energy efficiency in the building sector has made significant progress in many UNECE member States, but there is still room for improvement due to flawed policy frameworks and lack of public awareness of modern technologies and their long-term economic and social benefits. This publication addresses these challenges and aims to elucidate the status of energy efficiency standards implementation in buildings and the deployment of appropriate technologies. It also identifies good policy practices and replicable solutions and proposes a set of general recommendations and priority actions arising from the analysis.

Weight: 220g
Dimension: 212 x 296 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789211172355