“Our vision: A world where buildings consume zero net energy”

cover-eebtransf-largeBuildings today account for 40 percent of energy consumption in developed countries according to the OECD. The effort announced today for transforming the way buildings are conceived, constructed, operated and dismantled has ambitious targets: By 2050 new buildings will consume zero net energy from external power supplies and produce zero net carbon dioxide emissions while being economically viable to construct and operate.

Constructing buildings that use no net energy from power grids will require a combination of onsite power generation and ultra-efficient building materials and equipment.

The project will comprise three phases, each producing reports that together will form a roadmap to transform the building industry. The first report will document existing green building successes and setbacks, the second will identify the full range of present and future opportunities, and the third will present a unified industry strategy for realizing those opportunities by 2050, specifically in China, India, Brazil, the U.S. and the E.U.

De Ruijter Strategy was involved in facilitating and reporting the second phase of the EEB project: identifying future trends and opportunities for energy efficiency in buildings. The vision report ‘Transforming the market’ and the ‘Roadmap’ to transform the building sector were both issued in April 2009.

Energy Efficiency in Buildings Summary report, August 2007

Energy Efficiency in Buildings Facts & Trends Full Report, September 2008 - see below.