Enforce efficiency performance standards in existing and new builds

Buildings will likely require standards to lower energy consumption. Policymakers can start by enforcing efficiency performance standards in existing and new builds, usually via building energy codes. Putting in place a robust framework for energy performance certificates (EPCs), which score a property based on their efficiency levels, is important for transparency, monitoring and evaluation purposes. EPCs are usually a voluntary tool but could be used in combination with minimum efficiency performance standards as part of a mandatory framework, for example to ensure landlords maintain a certain efficiency level or risk facing penalties. Only a handful of markets today are considering and testing such measures.