Energy services in and related to buildings are responsible for approximately one-third of total global final energy demand and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. They also contribute to the other key energy-related global sustainability challenges including lack of access to modern energy services, climate change, indoor and outdoor air pollution, related and additional health risks and energy dependence. The aim of this paper is to summarize the main sustainability challenges related to building thermal energy use and to identify the key strategies for how to address these challenges. The paper’s basic premises and results are provided by and updated from the analysis conducted for the Global Energy Assessment: identification of strategies and key solutions; scenario assessment; and the comparison of the results with other models in the literature.
Revised: March 27, 2015 |
Published: June 6, 2013
Citation
Urge-Vorsatz D., K. Petrichenko, M. Staniec, and J. Eom. 2013.Energy use in buildings in a long-term perspective.Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 5, no. 2:141-151.PNNL-SA-98222.doi:10.1016/j.cosust.2013.05.004