People spend most of their time inside buildings, and buildings are responsible for approximately one third of total direct and indirect energy-related worldwide carbon emissions. Likewise, buildings in the U.S. account for about 40% of total U.S. energy consumption. Future building development will be driven not only by emerging challenges such as vulnerability to a changing climate and resource scarcity, but also by disruptive innovations and societal changes.

The built environment accounts for approximately forty percent of the total energy consumption in developed countries. Because buildings have a long life, the greatest opportunity for energy reduction in the built environment will come from energy conservation in the existing building stock. An overview of the policy challenges presented by the built environment, with an emphasis on existing facilities, is accompanied by a discussion of specific technologies that may have the potential to reduce energy use.

The Bali Province Technical Guidelines (written in Indonesian) for Implementing Green Buildings in the Context of Clean Energy represent a collaborative effort between the Bali Provincial Government, Global Building Performance Network (GBPN), and support from CORE Udayana. Developed through extensive studies and analysis from November 2021 to June 2022, the guidelines engage stakeholders from the Provincial Government Bali, Professional Expert Team, universities, associations, private sectors, and professionals in building and clean energy.

The Samarinda City Technical Guidelines represent a strategic initiative aligned with the city's development goals, as outlined in Mayor Regulation No. 55 of 2021. These guidelines meticulously consider the potential savings and additional benefits achievable through the implementation of energy and water-efficient measures, aiming to significantly reduce carbon emissions in buildings. Spearheaded by the Samarinda City Government, this effort reflects a commitment to fostering an environmentally friendly and sustainable urban landscape.