Can buildings be a fast track to a climateClimate is typically defined as the average weather (or more rigorously a statistical description of the average in terms of the mean and variability) over a period of time, usually 30 years. These quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate ... accord?

It is a radical yet simple suggestion. The IEA has estimated that if 25 energy efficiencyUsing less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use electricity more efficiently - doing the same with less. policy recommendations were fully implemented globally, they would save 8.2Gt of CO2 emissionsCarbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted in several ways. Naturally through the carbon cycle and through human activities like the burning of fossil fuels. These human activities have increased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere since the beginning of the industrial revolution and these high ... in 2030, which corresponds to some 20% of all energyThe ability to perform work, mainly kinetic, potential, thermal energy, but also in forms of gravitational, sound, elastic and electromagnetic energy. sector emissionsEmissions of greenhouse gases, greenhouse gas precursors, and aerosols associated with human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, land-use changes, livestock, fertilisation, etc. (IPCC) projected in the business-as-usual scenario for the same year.  Agreement to fully implement these measures alone would bring global emissions back to 2005 levels, despite a doubling in economic activity and an assumed 22% increase in global population.

Meanwhile, negotiations in Copenhagen are focussing on broad national commitments to reduce emissions, as well as setting carbon price signals and intensity targets. But as the above estimates imply, there is actually huge mitigation potentialIn the context of climate change mitigation, the mitigation potential is the amount of mitigation that could be – but is not yet – realised over time. (IPCC) down in the details.  And in the details, there is already agreement: energy efficiencyUsing less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use electricity more efficiently - doing the same with less. is a triple winner.

Turning the order of dialogue on its head to act at policy level could make getting a global climate accord much less intractable. Developing and supporting a framework that assists countries in identifying all the energy efficiency solutions and developing the policies to match, offers tremendous potential.  And delivering targeted efficiency measures that don’t disrupt the economy would increase the general level of confidence in the entire UNFCCC process.

This is the line of argument offered by a REEEP Energy Efficiency Coalition position paper authored by Paul Waide, Director at Navigant Consulting.  The entire topic of energy efficiency in buildings as an untapped resource for mitigating climate changeClimate change is a lasting change in weather patterns over long periods of time. It can be a natural phenomena and and has occurred on Earth even before people inhabited it. Quite different is a current situation that is also referred to as climate change, anthropogenic climate change, or ..., will also be the focus of the Energy Efficiency Coalition event held over cocktails at the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers from 18.00 -20.00 on Thursday, 10th December.

Learn more about this event and download the position paper being distributed in Copenhagen