JUNE 202319The global warming will increase electricity demand as previously moderate regions will need air conditioning to minimize heat stressas there will also be an exponential demand for education, healthcare, leisure, recreation, and other services, resulting in the increased use of appliances and energy-consuming equip-ment for lighting, space cooling, and comfort. This is an area for immediate action, investment, and poli-cies to promote short- and long-term energy security given In-dia's commitment to Net Zero transition. Energy efficiency (EE) is the fastest, easiest, and most impactful way to accelerate the green transition acknowledged by the world today. Buildings as the cornerstone to decarbonization Optimizing Energy UseIn terms of global energy consumption, the building stock rep-resents a major portion. Building consumes 80 percent of their energy for heating, ventilation and cooling can result in an av-erage energy savings of 30 percent, with a payback time of two to four years (Architecture2030.org). Job CreationA highly cost-effective platform for reducing GHG emis-sions, the building sector can also play an important role in cre-ating jobs. For every million dollars invested in energy efficien-cy measures in the building sector, the IEA estimates that 9 to 30 jobs could be created. Across the entire energy sector, that's the highest potential. Moreover, these are local jobs that will spur the local economy as well as broader economic growth. Health and Well-beingEnergy-efficient buildings can also improve the health and well-being of occupants. Buildings that are well-insulated and ventilated can improve indoor air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues. Additionally, energy-efficient buildings can also reduce noise pollution, im-proving the quality of life for those who live or work inside. Ad-dressing Energy ScarcityBy streamlining the deployment of smart technologies and energy-efficient products and services, households can save a significant amount on their final energy bill. It is esti-mated that EE can reduce around 40 percent of India's emis-sions to reach the net zero target. It is crucial for India, which faces an energy shortage, to act quickly on energy in order to reach carbon neutrality. A smart use of energy can break the curve of energy demand. Moreover, each watt generated will be stretched further, easing the pressure on renewables. Enabling Energy Efficiency Solutions in BuildingsThe solutions are ready: There are four crucial trends driv-ing zero carbon buildings: decarbonization, electrification, ef-ficiency and digitalization. These four good 'DEEDS' work in combination to reduce the carbon emissions and overall cost of building operations and supporting infrastructure. Despite this, some low-hanging fruit often goes unnoticed. To capture all the potential, that needs to change fast. Decarbonization The building can achieve zero carbon emissions if fossil fu-els are avoided, renewable energy is used on and off-site, re-frigerants with high global warming potential are reduced, and construction materials with low carbon are reused or recycled. Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency must remain a top priority for zero carbon buildings, even with a renewable en-ergy supply. Energy efficiency investments save about two dollars in energy supply, whether they are made at the local, on-site level or at the grid level. The overall cost of grid infra-structure to meet future demand is also reduced. ElectrificationThe global warming will increase electricity demand as previously moderate regions will need air conditioning to minimize heat stress. In warmer regions, unseasonably cold weather can also increase electricity demand. Building owners will incur higher costs as fossil energy prices (often subsidized) decrease and electricity infrastructure investment increases to expand generation, transmission, distribution, and manage-ment of increasingly intermittent renewable energy sources. As the HVAC industry continues to undergo digital transfor-mation, advancements in monitoring instruments can enhance efficiency, performance, and sustainability.Digitalization: Digitalization allows buildings to be more energy efficient and flexible in terms of demand. In "smart" buildings, advanced sensors, controls, data analytics, and ener-gy optimization reduce energy usage and demand. Additional-ly, the use of digital capabilities in "smart" devices can improve reliability and allow remote management, while reducing ener-gy consumption and emissions.Investing in energy-efficient buildings is not only essential for reducing carbon emissions but also for promoting eco-nomic growth, improving health and well-being, and creating sustainable communities. It is time for building owners, policy-makers, and other stakeholders to work together to accelerate the transition towards energy-efficient buildings and promote a more sustainable future for all.
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