- Buildings today represent 40% of world's energy demand, 33% in commercial buildings and 67% in residential.
- Worldwide energy consumption for buildings is expected to grow 45% from 2002 to 2025.
- Scenarios forecast an acute increase in global carbon emissions; 92% increase from 2002 to 2050, if current trends are not altered.
- Leading global businesses are putting their resources and efforts into this issue, to secure sustainable growth for our planet and the future. The core group consists of 11 companies; CEMEX, DuPont, EDF, Gaz de France, ITT, Kansai Electric Power Company, Philips, Sonae Sierra and TEPCO with Lafarge and United Technologies Corporation taking a leading role. More than 40 other global companies will also be participating in the effort.
- A global assurance group of experts will be formed to advise and validate the project. The work will maintain a holistic and transparent approach, and collaborate closely with stakeholders from the different work streams as well as governments, academia and NGOs.
- New technologies and practices have been developed with regard to improved energy efficiency in buildings, but few are being implemented on scale. This project will attempt to draw these innovations together, addressing all aspects of a buildings' lifecycle, in order to raise awareness, advocate and promote action.