The IEA projects global primary energy demand could grow by 55% from 2005 to 2030, raising serious energy security and environmental sustainability concerns. How will we meet energy demand? How will we mitigate the resulting 57% increase in carbon dioxide emissions?

The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse current approaches to encourage energy efficiency in building codes for new buildings. Based on this analysis the paper enumerates policy recommendations for enhancing how energy efficiency is addressed in building codes and other policies for new buildings. This paper forms part of the IEA work for the G8 Gleneagles Plan of Action.