The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that residential, commercial, and public buildings account for 30 to 40 percent of the world’s energy consumption. The sector’s contribution to current world CO2 emissions is estimated by various sources at 25 to 35 percent.

Rapidly growing, especially in developing countries, the building sector offers the largest, most cost-effective opportunities for energy efficiency, with considerable co-benefits. However, to turn these opportunities into reality, multiple barriers must be removed.