In 2018, the buildings sector in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the People’s Republic of China (hereafter “China”) and India accounted for 27% of these countries combined final energy use and 24% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, excluding emissions from manufacturing building materials. Decarbonizing buildings across the entire life cycle would require a transformation of the buildings and construction sector. Reaching net-zero operational and embodied carbon emission buildings is possible. Still, it requires clear and ambitious policy signals to drive a range of measures, including passive building design, material efficiency, low-carbon materials, efficient building envelope measures, and highly efficient lighting and appliances.

Achieving these outcomes at pace and scale will require greater collaboration among policy makers at all jurisdictional levels, as well as with urban planners, architects, developers, investors, construction companies, and utility companies. In addition to providing healthier, more resilient, and more productive environments, the decarbonization of the buildings sector presents a business opportunity in the Asia Pacific Region. Decarbonizing buildings is also in full alignment with the aims of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this webinar, evaluators will learn from three presenters about implementing and evaluating programs and policies for advancing energy efficiency in buildings in the Asia-Pacific Region.