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Buildings use over 80 percent of electricity and 40 percent of all energy globally. They consume over 50 percent of energy globally if construction materials are considered. 

Improving the efficiency (and productivity) of our energy systems is the most cost-effective way to meet increasing energy needs. McKinsey and Company estimate that robust investment in energy efficiency would cost about half as much as an investment in energy supply infrastructure to meet the same demand. Furthermore, increasing energy ...

Increasing energy productivity through measures like building efficiency has the potential to slow the growth of energy demand in developing countries by more than half by 2020. Each additional $1 spent on energy efficiency avoids more than $2, on average, in energy supply investments. 

• Building efficiency codes and standards are regulatory tools that require a minimum level of energy efficiency in buildings, appliances, equipment or lighting. If they are well designed, they can cost-effectively decrease energy ...

Sustainable housing means housing that takes into account the long-term environmental, social, cultural and economic balance of the housing stock and its occupants. Sustainable housing is connected to economic development of all income groups and to inclusive institutions. Sustainable housing should be affordable and the planning and building process should be harnesses to empower communities and build people’s skills and capacities.

A comprehensive approach is extremely important. Even if it uses the most environmentally sustainable materials and ...

Although Africa is the most rural region in the world, it is urbanising fast and this will place immense strain on affordable housing provision in the coming decades.

Only four out of every ten Africans currently lives in an urban area, the lowest ratio in the world. However, over the coming fifteen years, cities in Africa will, every day, become home to at least another 40,000 people.

Growth in African countries is concentrated in cities and recent growth ...