The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) today launched the release of their latest report in a series, “Transforming the Market: Energy Efficiency in Buildings”. Supported by United Technologies and Lafarge, this report looks at the potential of energy efficiency to reduce emissions in buildings.
“Energy and climate are two very important issues for the members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Energy efficiency will have to represent 50 percent of all emissions reductions by 2050 – and buildings will be a very important part of that,” said WBCSD President Bjorn Stigson. He noted that the series of reports, which comprise a draft manifesto, call for not only greater efficiency in buildings but also increased awareness of this issue by policy and business leaders. Mr. Stigson noted that recent events such as the climate summit called by U.S. President Barack Obama and concurrent with EE Global, and the recent the creation of a new international partnership on energy efficiency hosted by International Energy Agency in Paris are positive examples of such proactive behavior.
Pleased to be hosting the unveiling of this seminal report at EE Global, 2009 Alliance President Kateri Callahan affirmed that this is indeed the time and the place to understand the potential of energy efficiency across all sectors – particularly in the building sector, which accounts for nearly half of global emissions. The six areas of focus in the WBCSD report are all topics of discourse at EE Global; the conference intends first and foremost to identify barriers and forge strategic partnerships to advance energy efficiency.
Bruno Lafont of Lafarge discussed the first three recommendations issued in the WBCSD report. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to innovation and better realization of the passive measures of energy efficiency that can effectively maximize use of solar gains, natural lighting and the like. Lafont added that incentives play a large part in persuading developers to choose low consumption buildings.
Among the recommendations cited in the WBCSD report is the so-called “human factor”, or the need to focus on people by developing labor in the field of energy savings while also making the public aware of what is at stake with energy efficiency. Simply arousing public awareness and influencing consumer behavior has the potential to reduce energy use by 30 percent through responsible energy behavior.
George David, chairman of UTC, spoke of the payback that investing in energy efficiency in buildings yields. Said Mr. David, the WBCSD report cites the importance of building codes and existing technologies to initiate substantial energy savings. “We have an amazing opportunity ahead of us. We have the technologies and solutions already in hand,” said Mr. David, who emphasized the need for all sectors to overcome inertia.
Yet if indeed there are existing technologies in place, what is stalling the process? Mr. David pointed to a lack of information needed to inspire an energy aware community, while Ms. Callahan added that the infamous split incentive often prevents stakeholders in the building industry as well as building residents and owners from realizing the true benefits of energy efficiency.
Getting the report out there and participating with legislatures are key tactics to overcoming the inevitable resistance to change that is so often the reason for inertia, said Mr. David. Mr. Stigson of WBCSD summarized the potential of the report and its finding in initiating a market transformation: “It’s not a question of reducing the quality of life but giving people a better quality of life while also reducing the cost as well as emissions.”
Tags: energy-efficient buildings, Lafarge, United Technologies Corporation, World Business Council for Sustainable Development