Commentary: Unlocking energy savings from buildings
(WorldNews Politics)

By John Dulac IEA Energy Analyst 11 December 2017 The past decade has seen major changes across the energy sector, from the emergence of solar PV or shale oil and gas to electric vehicles and high-efficiency lighting. But one sector has seen very little change. The building sector represents about 30% of global final energy use, and its energy-savings potential is massive. For now, however, it represents a major missed opportunity. The world added about 50 billion square metres in new floor area over the last decade, the equivalent of adding a new Empire State Building every 25 minutes. But energy intensity improvements in buildings are only creeping forward slowly. If a more concerted...