Chapter 4
EMISSIONS GAP REPORT A UNEP Synthesis
Box 4-3 Cross-cutting measures that support energy efficiency A number of measures can be used to improve energy efficiency across the economy. The main measures include: • • • • • •
putting a price on carbon e.g. carbon trading, carbon tax; energy efficiency targets; energy intensity reduction targets - decoupling gross domestic product from energy use/emissions; emission reduction targets; setting carbon-neutral targets; and removing fuel subsidies to reflect the true price of energy.
Naturally, not all measures are suitable for all countries. In addition, success depends on regular monitoring, verification and enforcement.
Box 4-4 Energy for heating, cooling and hot water The provision of heating, cooling and hot water is estimated to account for roughly half of global energy consumption in buildings (IEA, 2012c). Some cities are adopting district energy systems to supply thermal energy (heat, cooling and hot water) and in some cases electricity to buildings. District energy systems coordinate the supply of heating, cooling and power and in so doing optimize energy use and maximize energy efficiency. While district energy systems are appropriate for different climate zones (IPCC, 2014), up to now they have been used mostly to provide heating in cooler climates – in Europe and the US. But there are now a growing number of district energy systems providing cooling in warmer climates such as in Dubai, Kuwait and Singapore.
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energy efficiency, a more integrated approach is required to drive further improvements – that is, an approach covering the building shell, fixed and plug-in appliances, energy generation and enabling technologies, and occupant behaviour (Box 4-4). For new structures, buildings codes stipulating minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) have become the most popular policy instrument for reducing energy demand. If stringent building codes are not universally introduced, high energy use and emissions risk being locked in for decades, leading to a 33 per cent increase in global energy use for buildings by 2050 instead of a decrease of 46 per cent (GEA, 2012). To achieve real energy savings, these codes need to be enforced, reviewed and regularly strengthened (IEA, 2011a). Virtually all OECD countries and several developing
countries have building codes in place (IEA 2008)16, which require a level of insulation that substantially reduces energy demand. For example, standards in place in Japan, in the EU and in selected states of the US (HSBC, 2014) typically call for a level of energy consumption that is only one-quarter the level of non-insulated buildings. Although, energy performance standards have primarily been applied to new buildings, the UK’s 2011 Energy Act has banned the rental or sale of buildings in the worst performing energy classes from 2018 onwards. To achieve significant energy and emissions reductions in the building sector, there is a growing consensus that new buildings must have net-zero energy or nearly zero-energy performance. Net-zero energy buildings are those with on-site renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaics, wind turbines or solar thermal,
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A key factor in the success of building codes is their ambition level. With this in mind, it is important to note that many countries have adopted very ambitious codes.
Improving energy efficiency and reaping development and climate benefits