Buildings account for around 30 percent of the world’s total energy consumption and a similar percentage of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. But most buildings in Asia are surprisingly inefficient at using energy for lighting, heating and cooling. More than half of the world’s new construction is taking place in China and India alone, yet the potential for efficiency gains in the building sector is largely being squandered. Many of the costly and environmentally damaging power plants now being built to fuel Asia’s growth could be avoided with better policies and practices.

The Asia Business Council in late Autumn 2007 released an in-depth study of the problems and opportunities in this area. This ground-breaking study, which includes interviews with more than 70 experts, looks at how large energy savings can be achieved in Asia through better building design and operation—and highlighting what businesses and governments are doing now as well as what should be done to realize both economic and environmental benefits.

Building Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet (PDF)

Why Green Buildings are Key to Asia’s Future—and Why More Aren’t Being Built (PDF)

The book is now available for purchase in Asia at: Paddyfield. It also is available for purchase at amazon.com. Please contact the Council about bulk orders, as we offer generous discounts on large orders.

For more information about the book, please feel free to contact Bonnie Chang. Bonnie can be reached by e-mail at bonniec@asiabusinesscouncil.org or by phone on (852) 2899-2782