Setting up GHG-based energy efficiency targets in buildings: The Ecolabel

• Published in: Energy policy Vol. 59; pp. 633 - 642
• Main Authors: José Vinagre Díaz, Juan, Richard Wilby, Mark, Belén Rodríguez González, Ana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2013; Elsevier; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Air pollution; Applied sciences; Building certification schemes; Buildings; carbon; Carbon emissions; Certification; Eastern Europe; Ecolabel; ecolabeling; Emission standards; Emissions; Emissions control; Energy; Energy consumption; Energy economics; Energy efficiency; Energy policy; European Union; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; Green buildings; Greenhouse effect; greenhouse gas emissions; Greenhouse gases; issues and policy; Kyoto Protocol; Labels; Legislation, regulations for energy use; normal values; Regulation; Studies; Western Europe; Europe; Ecolabel; Energy policy; Building certification schemes; Kyoto Protocol; Buildings; Pollution control; Energy performance; Certification; Standards; European Union; Greenhouse gas; Energy efficiency; Quality label
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.04.021

The European Union has recently updated the regulations for energy performance of buildings and on the certification of energy-related products. The world is in the process of constructing policy frameworks to underwrite carbon emission reduction targets, best exemplified by the Kyoto Protocol. This requires complex technical and economical concepts to be presented in an understandable, transparent, and justifiable format. A building's energy efficiency was traditionally determined based on its annual consumption relative to some average performance level. Emissions are calculated as a derivative of consumptions and their aggregated values allow verification of the level of fulfillment of the objectives. Here we take a different approach: considering that the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) objectives must be achieved; hence, we fix the efficiency standard based on emissions objectives, and then derive the corresponding reference values of consumption. Accordingly, we propose a certification scheme for energy efficiency in buildings based on targets of GHG emissions levels. This proposed framework includes both a label, namely the Ecolabel, and a fiche showing a set of indices and complementary information. The Ecolabelis designed to provide a flexible, evolvable, simple to use at the point of application, and transparent framework. •In this paper we consider the interaction between greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and building energy efficiency.•Specifically we propose an ‘‘Ecolabel” for buildings that is a GHG emissions liability index, which forms a labeling process.•The label follows the Kyoto Protocol philosophy and translates national GHG targets to targets for each and every building.•The approach provides both a new form of efficiency rating on which emissions reduction policy can be based.