PNNL

Abstract

The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are allowing countries to examine options for reducing emissions through a range of domestic policies. Here we use the Global Change Assessment Model to demonstrate the potential impacts of energy policies and discuss strategies to implement India’s NDC with a focus on the buildings sector. Buildings are the largest end-use sector globally, and building energy consumption is expected to increase as income grows in developing countries. We find that implementing a range of energy efficiency policies robustly can reduce total Indian building energy use by 22% and lower total Indian carbon dioxide emissions by 9% in 2050 compared to the business as usual scenario. Among various policies, energy codes for new buildings can result in the most significant savings. For all energy efficiency policies, well-coordinated, consistent implementation is critical, which requires coordination across different departments and agencies, improving capacity of stakeholders, and developing appropriate institutions to facilitate policy implementation. Renewable energy deployment can also reduce carbon emissions from buildings, and incentives in the short term are important to ensuring strong market uptake. Effective development and implementation of building energy policies could help avoid lock-in of carbon-intensive infrastructure, while improving living standards and generating health benefits.