New policy brief on a global perspective for decarbonising residential buildings

Globally, the building sector was responsible for 34% of energy demand and 37% of energy and process-related CO2 emissions in 2022. Building decarbonisation strategies and policies vary among world regions due to their distinct socio-economic development framework, climate conditions, building stock status, and energy consumption including their fuel mix. Policymakers in the EU, China, and India have acknowledged the necessity of implementing comprehensive policy packages to decarbonise their residential building stock.

A new policy brief by NDC ASPECTS members Chun Xia-Bauer (Wuppertal Institute) and Faidra Filippidou (E3-modelling) highlight key existing policies and options to further enhance them:

1. While the EU and China align targets with climate goals, India lacks a clear sectoral roadmap and should therefore adopt one.
2. Both China and India can explore the potential of implementing energy efficiency obligations (EEOs) and carbon pricing to advance residential building decarbonisation.
3. Certain EU member states (MSs) should reduce electricity taxes to accelerate heating electrification.
4. Minimum Energy Performance Requirements (MEPRs) are implemented across all regions, although China should expand mandates for building codes in rural areas and existing buildings, and India should expedite the adoption of MEPRs at the local level.
5. EU MSs have enforced Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs); India and China need to scale up their residential building information disclosure practices.
6. Integrated business models such as the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) promoted by the EU could accelerate energy renovation efforts.
7. Training and certification are included in national policies in all three regions, with India needing more involvement from recognized entities.

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