Asia Low Carbon Buildings Transition Programme
Nationwide transition towards low carbon buildings (LCB) in Asian countries, substantially reducing GHG emissions from the sector
The demand for energy in the built environment across ASEAN has been increasing rapidly in recent years and is projected to grow 2.6 times by 2050 compared to 2022 levels. The rise in construction activities and in the number of buildings are driven by economic expansion, and rapid urbanization. Studies indicate that 56% of the increase in energy demand from buildings is linked to population growth in urban areas.
As one of the most energy-intensive sectors, the construction and building industries play a critical role in energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Embodied carbon accounts for 10% of global energy-related GHG emissions and contribute up to 20-25% of a building’s total life-cycle emissions. These are the result only from material production, transportation, and construction. At the same time, operational emissions from buildings had been calculated to be accounted for 21% of global GHG emissions and 22% of energy consumption in 2022. In ASEAN’s tropical climate, rising temperatures have intensified cooling demand, further escalating energy use and emissions.
Building (Commercial & Residential)’s share
of energy consumption in 2022
Building Operation’s share of CO2
Emissions in 2022
Source: 8th ASEAN Energy Outlook, 2024
Recognizing the built environment’s impact on regional and global decarbonization efforts, ASEAN Member States (AMS) have pledged their commitment to energy transition and net-zero carbon goals, aligning with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The Asia Low Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT) Programme is designed to integrate low-carbon building (LCB) practices into existing energy conservation policies in a wider range of Asia. Five countries have been selected as pilot sites, each requiring a unique approach tailored to its specific challenges. To accelerate the transition, ALCBT adopts a targeted and collaborative strategy, focusing on:
Cambodia
Cambodia
Building capacity and integrating energy regulations with monitoring tools.
India
India
Strengthening the implementation of building energy codes and promoting sustainable cooling.
Indonesia
Indonesia
Enhancing capacity, aligning green building regulations with government policies, and fostering an ESCO market.
Thailand
Thailand
Overcoming technical barriers and expanding energy efficiency services.
Viet Nam
Viet Nam
Advancing capacity for tracking building carbon stocks and addressing ESCO industry challenges, particularly in efficient cooling.
