Advancing the Transition to Low Carbon Buildings in Asia

In five Asian countries, the International Climate Initiative supports climate change mitigation in the building sector.

Buildings are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, representing almost 40% of global energy-associated carbon emissions. By 2060, the global building floor area is projected to double, driving higher energy consumption and greater demand for cooling. 

In Asia, this growing demand poses a major challenge as cities expand. Governments are working to adopt more climate-friendly designs and sustainable materials. However, enforcement of building energy efficiency regulations has not been significant due to several barriers, including limited understanding among subnational authorities, insufficient awareness among industry professionals, and inadequate financing and incentives.

The Asia Low Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT) Project, supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), addresses these challenges by catalysing a nationwide transition towards low carbon buildings in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, through standardised tools and systems, enhanced capacity, financial pathways, and knowledge replication for key public and private sector stakeholders.

Standardising tools and systems for managing carbon emissions

The project has developed the Building Emission Assessment Tool (BEAT), a standardised metric for assessing and managing carbon emissions in new and existing buildings. Governments can integrate it into building permit processes in order to monitor improvements over time and make better-informed decisions supporting national sustainability targets. 

An offline version was tested in Cambodia and India, while an interactive web version is in development. Complementary to BEAT, a Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) tool is also being developed to enhance transparency and accountability in tracking progress towards the net-zero target in the building sector. 

To facilitate financing for low carbon buildings (LCB), the project is operationalising a regional One-Stop-Shop (OSS) platform that will serve as a hub for best practices and investment opportunities. Launching in 2025, the OSS connects key stakeholders like building developers and owners, investors and financial institutions, accelerating energy-efficient building projects through investment matchmaking.

Supporting policies for achieving carbon-neutrality by 2050

The project conducted building sector policy reviews and institutional mapping in Cambodia, India, and Indonesia. Findings were shared with government partners and complemented by ongoing scenario modelling towards net zero buildings. At the subnational level, in the states of Kerala, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in India and the capital city of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, alongside ongoing building assessment to identify pilots for LCB investment, the project undertook analysis of policy gap and implementation, existing building stock, construction practices, and ways to enhance building approval process. Notable contributions include inputs to the Kerala Cool Roof Policy 2004-2009 and the Energy Conservation & Sustainability Building Code (ECSBC) for Commercial and Office Buildings in India.

Enhancing capacity for low carbon buildings

LCB training modules were developed and are being rolled out across project countries to equip industry professionals, including material manufacturers, building developers, contractors and owners, architects and designers, energy auditors, energy service companies (ESCOs) and professionals from banking and financing institutions, with the knowledge and skills needed to implement energy efficient solutions. Content and delivery are customised to the local context and translated into local languages to ensure relevance and amplify impact.

The LCB Training Programme was successfully launched in Cambodia in December 2024 and in India in January 2025, with training of trainers delivered at local institutions through interactive discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises. With a target of over 4,000 trained professionals, the Training programme fosters long-term sustainability by establishing a self-sustaining ecosystem in local communities, where trained experts will continue to mentor and train others, ensuring continuous knowledge sharing.

Priority field of action: Promoting the energy transition