LONDON — An analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the global energy-efficient building market from 2016 to 2020 is included in the latest report from Technavio. The top three emerging trends driving the market according to Technavio’s research analysts are:

• Increase in government initiatives and investments.

• Rising energy prices.

• Desire to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission levels.

INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND INVESTMENTS

Governments worldwide are enforcing regulations to support the development of energy-efficient buildings. Some policies have been introduced to aid the development of zero-energy buildings. For example, the United Kingdom (UK) has set a zero carbon policy and has made a commitment to have zero carbon homes from 2016.

Barratt, one of the leading home builders, built 195 zero carbon homes on an unused hospital site near Bristol in 2009. The projected improvement due to these homes is expected to bring about a reduction in CO2 emissions of around 17 million tons. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) estimates a substantial reduction in the CO2 emissions that are released by British homes by 2020. In 2009, the UK government also made an investment of $3.2 million to facilitate the research and development of energy-efficient buildings. The research tests new technologies and material to provide data for future standards and ways to reduce energy bills. To encourage zero carbon homes, an exemption from the Stamp Duty Land Tax was implemented in 2006.

RISING ENERGY PRICES

The increase in energy demand from residential and commercial buildings has resulted in a marked increase in energy cost over the years. This has led to a growing demand for energy-efficient buildings worldwide.

The aim in designing these buildings is to improve operational efficiency and slash overall energy costs. Additionally, they are also designed to help in the conservation of fossil fuels, thereby reducing overall impact on the environment.

DESIRE TO REDUCE GHG EMISSION LEVELS

The operations of a building, both residential and commercial, that involve heating, cooling, and lighting contribute to the increase of CO2 in the environment. Unlike conventional buildings, energy-efficient buildings help reduce GHG emissions. Therefore, they can provide significant environmental benefit.

With the increased use of renewable energy and energy-efficient products, there will be a reduction in the energy load of a building as well as the GHG emission levels. This is expected to help increase the demand for energy-efficient buildings.

More information is available here.

Publication date: 9/5/2016

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