With this Communication, released in February 2016, the European Commission presents the first strategy to optimise buildings' and industries' heating and cooling in order to tackle the massive use of energy, particularly fossil fuels, in the sector. Heating and cooling accounts for 50% of the energy consumption in the European Union, and renewables account for just 18% of this.

The series of publications review the most successful sustainable practices, resulted in ecological, economic and social benefits from the implemented projects in energy efficiency in the residential buildings, municipal heating, construction and in general in housing and community utilities.

These projects are implemented jointly by UNDP, various donors and the Government of Kazakhstan on energy saving in housing and community utilities and construction.

European legislation makes nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs) a standard by 2020. The technology is available and proven; however, the large-scale uptake of nZEB construction and renovation remains a challenge. ZEBRA2020 monitored the market uptake of nZEBs across Europe and provided data and knowledge on how to reach the nZEB standard. This information was structured and analysed to derive recommendations. ZEBRA2020 covers 17 European countries and almost 90% of the EU/EEA building stock and population.

With skyrocketing energy demand, limited energy supply, rapid urbanization and increasing pollution levels, India critically needs energy solutions. Energy efficiency is an immediate solution, locking in energy savings in India’s growing cities. To reap energy savings, Hyderabad and Telangana State are moving forward with India’s first online system to ensure energy savings in buildings.

Three strategies for code implementation are proposed:

The purpose of the framework is to create a clear and coherent climate policy.

The Green Building Council of Australia with the Property Council of Australia, Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), Energy Efficiency Council, Facilities Management Association of Australia, City of Sydney, City of Melbourne and CitySwitch have produced a policy framework addressing the potential opportunities presented by increasing the energy efficiency requirements for mid-tier buildings.

The latest version of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) aims to achieve a highly energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050, and compels Member States to develop respective roadmaps, guidelines and measurable, targeted actions.

The National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC) guided the China Quality Certification Center (CQC) to develop a China TOP TENs Best Energy Efficient Practices list to highlight energy savings practices for the China’s buildings sector. The list covers a broad range of building practices including commercial and residential. Each practices have been weighted using a structured methodology to determine its energy saving and cost achievement, sustainability, originality and innovation, replicability, as well as co-benefits.