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Elective Course ARC 40xx | Energy

Efficiency in Buildings | Spring 2025
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The Global Challenge of

Energy Consumption in
Buildings
Energy Efficiency
In Buildings The built environment plays a crucial role in shaping
the future of our planet. Buildings are responsible for
approximately 40% of global energy consumption
and nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Asmaa Saleh Eid, PhD.

Faculty of Engineering - Cairo University

Department of Architectural Engineering
Academic Year 2024/2025
Fourth Year

International Energy Agency: IEA2022

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The Global Challenge of The Global Challenge of

Energy Consumption in Energy Consumption in
Buildings Buildings
As the world faces the pressing challenges of: At the same time, fluctuating energy prices and
• Climate Change Impact: Rising global temperatures, extreme weather conditions, and supply chain disruptions—exacerbated by
environmental degradation necessitate immediate action to reduce the carbon footprint of geopolitical tensions—highlight the need for energy
the built environment. independence. Governments and industries
• Resource Scarcity: The depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing cost of energy place worldwide are turning toward energy-efficient
financial pressure on governments, businesses, and individuals. buildings as a cost-effective and environmentally
• Regulatory and Policy Changes: Governments worldwide are implementing stricter energy responsible solution.
codes and sustainability mandates to drive energy-efficient building practices.
• Urbanization and Energy Demand: With over 70% of the global population expected to live
in cities by 2050, the energy demand from buildings will continue to rise unless innovative
energy-saving measures are integrated into new and existing structures.
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Statistics Division 2020

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Global Initiatives Driving Energy Efficiency in

Buildings

To accelerate the transition toward

sustainable, energy-efficient
buildings, governments and
organizations worldwide have
introduced ambitious policies and
initiatives. Some of the most
influential global programs include: •The Paris Agreement (2015) set a global goal to limit temperature rise to below 2°C and
strive for 1.5°C.
•As part of this, countries are adopting Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) policies, requiring
buildings to generate as much energy as they consume using renewable sources.
•The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) tracks national
commitments to improving building efficiency.
https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement

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•Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC): •UNEP’s Sustainable Buildings and Construction Programme:
Launched at COP21, GlobalABC is a coalition of governments, Part of the United Nations Environment Programme, this initiative
private sector actors, and NGOs working to achieve a zero- promotes sustainable building practices, including energy
emission, efficient, and resilient buildings sector by 2050. It efficiency, through policy advocacy, capacity building, and
provides a platform for sharing best practices, tools, and policies knowledge sharing.
to advance energy efficiency.
•European Green Deal & Energy Performance of Buildings
•World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) Net Zero Carbon Directive (EPBD):
Buildings Commitment: The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires all
This initiative calls for all buildings to operate at net-zero carbon new buildings in the EU to be Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB)
by 2050. It encourages businesses, cities, and governments to by 2030.
commit to ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy The EU’s Green Deal aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,
targets. with a major focus on renovating old buildings for better energy
efficiency.

https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/programmes/sustainable-buildings-and-construction
https://climateaction.unfccc.int/Initiatives?id=Global_Alliance_for_Buildings_and_Construction https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en
https://worldgbc.org/ https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en

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Energy Efficiency & the Sustainable Energy Efficiency & the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
•Energy efficiency in buildings reduces dependence on fossil fuels, lowering energy
demand while promoting renewable energy integration (e.g., solar panels, wind
power, and energy storage).
•Smart buildings optimize energy use through passive design, insulation, and
energy-efficient technologies, ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable
energy access.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established in 2015 as part of •The construction industry is undergoing a technological transformation with
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Several SDGs directly relate to energy innovations such as smart grids, net-zero buildings, and digital twin simulations.
efficiency in buildings, highlighting its critical role in achieving global sustainability •Energy-efficient building systems reduce infrastructure strain and support the
targets. development of resilient, sustainable urban environments.
https://sdgs.un.org/goals

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Energy Efficiency & the Sustainable Energy Efficiency & the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 13: Climate Action
•Buildings shape urban landscapes, and sustainable design helps cities reduce •Energy-efficient buildings directly contribute to reducing carbon emissions
pollution, heat islands, and resource depletion. and meeting global climate targets under the Paris Agreement.
•Energy-efficient retrofits for old buildings help cities lower emissions and •The shift toward Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) is essential for limiting
adapt to climate change, making urban areas more livable, resilient, and global warming to below 2°C, in alignment with scientific recommendations
inclusive. from the IPCC.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
•Sustainable buildings minimize waste and optimize resource efficiency by using •Poorly designed buildings increase health risks such as indoor air pollution,
eco-friendly materials, water-saving technologies, and circular economy inadequate ventilation, and temperature extremes.
principles. •Energy-efficient buildings incorporate healthy indoor environments with
•Lifecycle analysis in green buildings ensures that materials are responsibly natural lighting, proper ventilation, and temperature regulation, improving
sourced, used efficiently, and recycled wherever possible. occupant health and productivity.

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Selected Green Building Certification Schemes

Why Green Building Certifications
Matter ?!

While energy efficiency can be

achieved through various methods,
green building certification systems
provide a structured, measurable, Reading # 1
and widely recognized framework Ch.3 in Handbook on
for sustainable building practices. Energy Efficiency in
The most prominent certification Buildings
systems include:

https://www.adb.org/publications/handbook-energy-efficiency-buildings

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Timeline of Selected Green Building Certification Schemes

WELL Certification: A Standard for Health
and Well-Being in Buildings

WELL Certification is a globally recognized building

standard that focuses on human health and well-
being within the built environment. Unlike traditional
green building certifications like LEED or BREEAM,
which emphasize energy efficiency and environmental
sustainability, WELL prioritizes occupant health,
comfort, and productivity by improving factors such
as air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and mental
well-being.

Developed by International WELL Building Institute

(IWBI) in 2014.
https://www.wellcertified.com/certification/v2/

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Elective Course ARC 40xx | Energy

Efficiency in Buildings | Spring 2025

This course is designed to equip you, as

future leaders in architecture, engineering,
and environmental science, with the tools to
transform this energy efficiency challenge
into opportunity and that begins with
understanding LEED (Leadership in Energy Why LEED? A Global Benchmark for Energy Efficiency
and Environmental Design).
Among the various green building certifications, LEED has emerged as one of the most widely
adopted and respected frameworks. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC),
LEED provides a flexible, performance-based approach to designing, constructing, and
operating high-performance green buildings.

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Why LEED? Why LEED?

1.Global Relevance & Industry Recognition 2. Holistic Systems Thinking

LEED is the world’s most widely used green building LEED transcends energy efficiency alone, integrating
rating system, a standard adopted in over 180 water conservation, material selection, indoor air
countries. By anchoring our studies in LEED, you’ll quality, and community impact. This
engage with frameworks that are actively shaping interdisciplinary approach mirrors the complexity of
policies, corporate strategies, and construction real-world projects, encouraging you to think
practices worldwide. Mastery of LEED principles critically about how systems interconnect; a skill
signals to employers that you’re prepared to meet vital for innovating in a resource-constrained world.
international benchmarks for sustainability.

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Why LEED? Why LEED?

3. Career Preparedness 4. Alignment with Global Goals

LEED credentials are highly valued across industries, LEED aligns with the UN Sustainable Development
from urban planning to real estate development. By Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable
delving into LEED strategies, you’ll gain practical Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This course will
expertise that distinguishes you in the job market. challenge you to contextualize your work within
Whether designing net-zero buildings or retrofitting these frameworks, empowering you to contribute
existing infrastructure, this knowledge positions you meaningfully to global equity and resilience.
at the forefront of sustainable practice.

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Why LEED? Your Role as Changemakers!

This course is more than an academic requirement; it’s a launchpad for a

career in Sustainability. By semester’s end, you’ll not only understand LEED’s
5. Innovation and Adaptability criteria but also can apply for LEED Green Associate Exam.

LEED evolves alongside advancements in technology

and policy, ensuring its methodologies remain
cutting-edge. Studying LEED isn’t just about
memorizing standards; it’s about learning to adapt,
problem-solve, and lead in a dynamic field.

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Candidates taking exams in 2024 and 2025 will be tested on content from the
LEED v4 rating systems. The LEED v5 exams are anticipated to be available in
the first half of 2026.

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