Energy Saving News
Index Reveals More Energy Efficiency Needed in Buildings
FOR the second year in a row Norway heads a global list of countries who are working towards zero carbon buildings.
Second was Brazil followed by the UK in the 2009 RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) ‘Global Zero Carbon Capacity Index’ produced by Professor Yvonne Rydin, a co-director at the University College London's Environment Institute.
The Index was released today and is formulated around the International Energy Agency (IEA) data, it reports on 34 countries with the aim of measuring the progress of countries towards creating a zero carbon built environment.
The index, which was launched in pilot format last year, measures energy efficiency in offices, households and domestic transport as well as any investment in renewable energy and introduction of policies reducing carbon consumption within the built environment.
However, Professor Rydin says that most countries need to tackle the 'poor standard' of energy efficiency of the existing building stock, these buildings energy consumption is far higher than it needs to be.
Rydin said: "It is vitally important all those involved with the built environment take action to reduce carbon emissions.
"This is an urgent responsibility for those building new developments as well as those owning, managing and occupying existing ones.
"Our homes, shops, offices, factories and leisure centres all need to make their contribution to the climate change agenda."
The countries to have improved the most over 2008-9 are the Slovak Republic, France, Germany and USA, although the improvement for the USA is less than for the other three countries.
Monday 19th July 2010
