Energy Efficiency at COP15
Malaysia's Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said Malaysia is committed to address climate change issues, including setting a carbon reduction goal of 40% by 2020.
In Singapore, the Environment Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said they would start implementing energy efficiency measures that would cut emissions by 7-11 per cent by 2020; far short of its original goals of 16 per cent pledged before COP15.
Whether ambitious or disappointing, the carbon emissions reduction targets committed by various nations reflects in part the challenges faced by the international communities in tackling climate change issues on a global scale.
During the COP15 UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, the Rockwool Group organised several events in order to raise the awareness of the huge energy savings potential in buildings. Although we had hoped for a more ambitious climate agreement, we are satisfied with the massive international media attention on the need for better energy efficiency in buildings.
75 per cent of the energy used in buildings can be conserved which means that 20 percent of the world’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions can be saved by energy efficiency in buildings.
The Rockwool events during COP15 first and foremost included a side event at the climate summit venue which offered delegates and journalists the chance to learn more about the big potential in buildings.
The messages from all the events were clear:
Climate change needs to be addressed through action, we have the necessary information available to act now, and energy efficiency in buildings plays a critical role in achieving the goals on CO2-reduction.
Many international as well as local media published stories on energy efficiency in buildings and how it can abate climate change.
Learn more by watching the film and presentations below.
Short appetiser with key messages about energy efficiency in buildings – 9 minutes summary
Press release
Energy waste in buildings can be cut by 75%
Presentations
Presentation by Eelco van Heel, CEO of the Rockwool Group
Presentation by Kim Carstensen, Leader of the WWF’s Global Climate Initiative
Presentation by Jens Laustsen, Senior Policy Analyst the International Energy Agency
Chinese