An Innovative Approach to Reducing the Impact of Buidlings on the Environment

Abstract:

Established in 2006 by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) aims to measurably reduce carbon emissions worldwide. In 2007, President Clinton launched the landmark Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, which is currently being delivered in 26 of the largest cities across the globe, including most all major cities in the Asian Region. The Building Retrofit Program brings together many of the world’s largest energy service companies (ESCOs), financial institutions, and cities in an effort to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings across the municipal, private, commercial, educational, and public housing sectors. Buildings are responsible for more than 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in most cities, and for more than 70 percent of emissions in mature cities such as New York and London. Retrofitting public and private buildings to incorporate more energy efficient products, technologies, and systems can significantly reduce energy use and pay for itself through energy cost savings. CCI is currently working in the Asian region to facilitate partnerships which offer specific benefits towards reduced energy consumption, costs and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. The TRANE Company, an energy services company, and one of CCI’s many partners, develops these projects and addresses the technical aspects related to project delivery. TRANE’s work outlines the benefits associated with a comprehensive and holistic approach to a building's energy consumption and efficiency. TRANE focuses on leading energy solutions, new technologies and innovative systems that can contribute to successful energy conservation and increased efficiency, especially related to air-conditioning. The delivery model used is focused on the ability to eliminate risks associated with the implementation of these projects while at the same time delivering concrete returns in terms of energy savings, cost savings and greenhouse gas emission savings for government as well as private sector building owners.