Improving energy efficiency helps to mitigate climate change and ensure economic growth, especially in emerging economies where energy resources are scarce and demand is growing significantly. The building sector can make a considerable contribution to energy efficiency since it accounts for more than 40 per cent of worldwide energy use and more than one third of this demand could be reduced with the help of basic energy efficiency measures. In order to tap this enormous potential, incentives have to be established to overcome existing barriers, which are in many cases of a financial nature.
adelphi provided support to the KfW Development Bank in organising and hosting the Financing Energy Efficiency in Buildings Workshop as part of global energy efficiency efforts. The workshop showcased German experiences with promotional programmes in the construction sector, creating a platform for an exchange of best practices and enabling a dialogue between representatives from financial institutions and policy makers from emerging countries. Participants at the workshop on 16-17 February 2012 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, came from China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Serbia, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey and Vietnam.