Launch of “Unlocking Efficiency” – A Global Report on Building Energy Regulations and their Enforcement

The building sector stands at a critical juncture in global climate action. While contributing 37% of global CO₂ emissions, buildings' energy demand continues to rise at an alarming rate. Approximately 71 countries have adopted mandatory building energy codes, but significant regional disparities exist—Europe shows near-universal adoption, while rapidly urbanizing regions in Africa and South Asia remain largely unregulated. This regulatory gap becomes critical given projected construction growth, with estimates showing that 68% of the world's population will live in urban areas by 2050, driving unprecedented building activity that will shape energy consumption for generations.

The World Bank's "Unlocking Efficiency" report identifies dramatic disparities in building energy code enforcement that create significant missed opportunities for climate action. Beyond simple policy adoption, success requires comprehensive implementation systems—the study reveals only 33 out of 88 countries have established robust frameworks for inspector qualification and oversight. Economic analysis shows implementing codes during initial construction is substantially more cost-effective than retrofitting later. Meeting Paris Agreement targets requires a three-pronged approach: expanding coverage to regions with no current requirements, strengthening verification in countries with existing codes, and creating innovative solutions for the massive existing building stock that remains largely unregulated in most jurisdictions

CONTACT: Enrique Orellana Tamez

eorellanatamez@worldbank.org