What is G-STIC? The G-STIC 2017 conference aims to accelerate the development, dissemination and deployment of technological innovations that enable the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are 17 internationally agreed ambitious goals to move the world to a more sustainable future by 2030. Focused on integrated technological solutions that are good for the planet, for the people and for the economy, G-STIC 2017 provides a unique chance to join the global technological innovation community that is single-mindedly devoted to enabling transitions to less carbon and resource-intensive economic development models.
Click here: Program, summary and key messages: “Urban Design and Sustainable Buildings” Theme in G.STIC
Theme ‘Urban Design and Sustainable Buildings”
•Highlighted key challenges and opportunities for sustainable building with focus on energy
•Presented key technologies and knowhow that are critical
•Provided insights on key barriers for these technologies
•Discussed key policy changes that needs to happen for transformative change
Key findings and messages from the Thematic Session
Sustainable buildings are key cornerstones of the global sustainability quest – Buildings account 32 % of global final energy use (2010); 19 % of energy-related GHG emissions (including electricity-related) (IPCC, 2014); linked to resources consumption, energy and climate security; rapid urbanization; 80 % of current energy use in buildings globally could be ‘locked in’. Cost-effective and best practice technologies can help us to stabilize or reduce energy use from current level as opposed to doubling or tripling by mid-century in BAU scenario. The avenues for innovation in sustainable buildings are many – Construction materials; energy efficient building design; improving efficiency in operation of the buildings. Practices have shows that new building design knowhow and practices can reduce 2 to 10 fold reduction in energy in new buildings (incl behavioral change) IPCC (2014). In existing buildings 50 – 90 % energy savings have been achieved throughout the world through deep retrofits which involved Building envelop considerations, lighting, insulation, HVAC, and other technologies. The economic argument of energy is clear, these technologies enable construction and retrofit of very low- and zero-energy buildings often at little marginal investment cost typically paying back well-within the building lifetime. Further, new opportunities due to digital age are already evident such as building automation, sensors, IoT, integrated lighting amongst others. However, there are considerable barriers to tap large potentials offered by technologies. Some of key ones are, lack of awareness, imperfect information, split incentives, transaction costs, inadequate access to financing, and industry fragmentation. Market forces alone cannot achieve diffusion of technologies and technological knowhow for the scale of needed transformation. Strong policies are necessary for generating demand for ‘sustainable’ buildings and upscaling best practices. A broad portfolio of effective policy instruments is available to remove these barriers.
The key message of the Thematic sessions are the followings:
- Thinking systemic and integrated approach: LCA approach (construction materials, building design, operation and automation etc.); optimizing multiple benefits (resources, energy, comfort, cost etc); a suits of technologies (integrated technologies) (no silver bullets); majority of technologies already exist, some are evolving
- Several technologies are key, namely, passive design, multiple-systems integrated in the same buildings to suit different seasonal requirement, local-climate sensitive design, better integration of renewable energy at design stage itself, retrofitting existing buildings, integrated lightings, IoT applications and automation (BEMS, sensors) inside the buildings
- Comprehensive building codes are necessary which should include building envelopes, mandatory codes, LCA consideration, new standards and labeling for new developments aimed at housing developers
- Technical demonstration of benefits are important for awareness creation. Many positive externalities are often not quantified and needs better communication
- Enabling investment and innovative financial mechanisms in energy efficiency in key since economic arguments of energy efficiency is yet strong and the incremental costs are smaller
- Making incentives right is key aspect of needed policies. Policies must aim for transformation change – policies must create demand for sustainable buildings, start acting NOW!!