La Démarche  "SD-MED"  proposée par  une équipe d’experts internationaux, expérimentée et validée par l’Association HQE, est basée sur les méthodes existantes d'évaluation de performance du bâtiment avec l'accent sur la démarche française  HQE^® (haute qualité environnementale) qu’ elle intègre un grand nombre de paramètres, exige un mode de la gestion des opérations inspirée par la norme internationale ISO 140001 et constitue une méthodologie de projet au lieu d'une simple certification à posteriori comme dans la majorité des autres méthodes existantes. Ainsi, elle offre un cadre intéressant pour  capitaliser les retours d'expérience et pour identifier des dénominateurs communs. 

L'équipe d'experts a entièrement  examiné  la  démarche HQE^® afin d'explorer tous ces points qui seraient utiles pour la nouvelle méthodologie SD-MED. Néanmoins, et étant donné que la démarche  HQE^® a été récemment très largement critiquée, l'équipe d'experts a pris en considération tous les commentaires correspondants afin qu’elle aboutisse à une méthode innovante basée sur les considérations modernes concernant l'intégration du développement durable dans la construction ou la réhabilitation des bâtiments. À cette fin, une analyse comparative étendue a été conduite sur tous les outils principaux existants d'évaluation environnementale des bâtiments. La proposition finale a un caractère plutôt innovant puisqu’elle est basée sur  la notion « efficacité » ou « efficience » du point de vue de la triple considération : environnementale, sociale, économique : Les trois piliers  du développement durable. C'est plus ou moins une approche universelle tenant compte du concept moderne de bâtiment durable ( sustainable building) mais avec une adaptabilité élevée au niveau des conditions régionales. Ceci signifie que dans la pratique, et pour devenir opérationnelle, elle doit pouvoir s'adapter aux conditions locales et aider les acteurs locaux à créer leurs propres systèmes (Bidou, Kyvelou, 2003).   

L’intégration de critères économiques et sociaux dans cette nouvelle démarche  est  son originalité principale et l’inscrit effectivement  dans le concept du développement durable.   Elle améliore en effet la démarche HQE^® qui ne répond que partiellement et non de façon explicite à ces deux enjeux supplémentaires à travers le traitement des 14 cibles environnementales. En outre, il a été jugé souhaitable d’étendre le Système de Management Environnemental qui fait l’originalité de la démarche HQE® au développement durable ( Système de Management Développement Durable (SMDD). Ce dernier devra être adapté au concept de développement durable et aux pratiques de chaque pays concerné (processus et organisation d’une opération, acteurs, responsabilités, pratiques, modes de vie, culture). Le niveau de traitement des différentes cibles pour les trois critères devra également tenir compte des réglementations ou normes en vigueur dans ces pays. Si elles n’existent pas dans un pays donné, il sera important de se caler sur les règlements existants dans le pays le plus similaire avant tout en terme de climat mais également de pratiques, culture ou mode de vie. Par ailleurs, le Système de Management Développement Durable (SMDD) d’une opération  permettra d’optimiser les performances des cibles et sous-cibles environnementales, économiques et sociales des bâtiments et fournira aux différents acteurs tous les éléments nécessaires pour qu’ils puissent intégrer cette démarche dans leurs opérations.

En tant que coordinateur/représentante de l’équipe qui a élaboré la démarche SD-MED*, je saisis l’occasion de  remercier une fois de plus Dominique Bidou d’avoir bien voulu soutenir ce travail et pour tous ses précieux conseils. Nos remerciements sincères vont également  aux architectes Dominique De Valicourt et Serge Jauré  pour leur contribution  considérable en tant qu’experts désignés par l’Association HQE, ainsi qu’à  Guy Chautard, Directeur de l’Association HQE pour son assistance, sans laquelle ce travail n’aurait pu être réalisé. 

* voir Hetzel J., Iwamura K., Kyvelou S.,Sinou M., " Démarche SD-MED, pemettant d'appliquer de développement durable au cadre bâti", Presses Universitaires du Limousin, éditeurs: Hélène Pauliat, Stella Kyvelou, Limoges, 2006

Une commande politique et publique

Principale organisation professionnelle de décideurs publics territoriaux, Le Syndicat des Directeurs Généraux des collectivités territoriales (SNDGCT), a pris l’initiative de s’associer aux Rencontres Nationales de la Construction Durable qui se déroulent du 14 au 16 mars 2007 à Saint-Raphaël (département du Var – France).

Principal collaborateur du maire ou du président, responsable de l’ensemble des services de la collectivité, praticien de la ville comme du territoire, le directeur général participe très directement à la direction stratégique de sa collectivité. Regroupant plus de 90 % de la profession, le Syndicat constitue une force de propositions, d’animations et d’actions particulièrement active et appréciée.

Dans ce contexte, en parallèle avec des élus de plus en plus soucieux de développement durable et face à une demande citoyenne de plus en plus exigeante, les décideurs publics ont décidé de se mobiliser et de proposer aux professionnels de la construction durable de les rencontrer, de débattre, d’échanger, d’analyser. Il n’est plus le temps de la lubie, les décideurs sont passés à la prise de conscience pleine et entière ; le mouvement doit accompagner un développement de la durabilité urbaine en pleine expansion.

Leur objectif est donc affirmé : partager une même volonté de produire une ville de plus en plus durable, au-delà de débats nombreux, mais réservés davantage aux techniciens qu’aux décideurs, davantage axés sur la technologie que l’opérationnel.

Place aux échanges et aux débats

L’ambition des Rencontres est bien de conforter, concrètement sur le terrain, les orientations de l’action publique locale dans le domaine des bâtiments tertiaires. Il s’agit d’amplifier les débats et les échanges afin que chaque décideur public et chaque professionnel puissent progresser ensemble et répondre ainsi à la commande politique, formulée par les élus désormais en termes d’exigences durables.  

Plusieurs directeurs généraux feront part de leurs expériences, voire de leurs interrogations, dans le cadre de cet échange qui doit aboutir à valoriser leurs initiatives de terrain et à inspirer nos actions durables.

Les débats se prolongeront d’ailleurs à travers les Assises Nationales des Dirigeants Professionnelles, qui se dérouleront le 26 et 26 octobre 2007, à Orléans et qui s’inscrivent dans le cadre du congrès national du Syndicat. Les Assises 2007 seront en effet consacrées au thème : « Energies et collectivités territoriales : un enjeu fondamental pour un développement durable des territoires ». 

Par ailleurs, les Rencontres Nationales de la Construction Durable seront l’occasion de rencontrer nos partenaires privés, dans le contexte nouveau du Salon de la Construction Durable et de découvrir aussi des secteurs avec lesquels les directeurs généraux sont sans doute moins familiers, mais qui prennent désormais toute leur importance au sein des préoccupations locales d’aménagement.

Priorité sera ainsi accordée par tous à la stratégie dans l’action.

Une Première « Nationale » en PACA

Pour les Rencontres 2007, le Syndicat a délégué la mise en œuvre du partenariat et de l’organisation à l’union Régionale Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, qui en est légitimement à l’origine.

Notre région sera donc très présente aux travaux, mais, de plus, nous tiendrons notre assemblée régionale durant les débats, vendredi 16 mars au matin. Près de deux cents décideurs sont traditionnellement réunis pour cette rencontre annuelle qui, cette année, va donc prendre une orientation très professionnelle.

Leader de l’opération, l’Union Régionale assure bien entendu la diffusion du programme à l’ensemble des 4 000 adhérents du Syndicat qui ont d’ores et déjà inscrit cette manifestation sur leur agenda, mais aussi sur celui de leurs services.

A noter que le niveau des droits d’inscription est parfaitement compat ib le avec les ressources des collectivités et que les Rencontres Nationales de la Construction Durable sont ainsi parfaitement en adéquation, y compris sur le plan économique, avec nos objectifs d’intérêt général et de service public.

L’initiative de ces prochaines Rencontres Nationales de la Construction durable est une réponse donc très adaptée à nos attentes actuelles dans la ville et dans l’aménagement.

ANDRE FIGHIERA  est Président  de l’Union Régionale PACA du Syndicat, Directeur Général des services de la ville de Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer (83).

This article  summarises and is structured around the outcomes of the SB05MED International Conference titled “Sustainable Construction: Action for sustainability in the Mediterranean region”, held in Athens in June 2005( see www.sd-med.org). Dr Stella Kyvelou is architect, planner, ex.member of the Strategic Planning Unit of the Ministry of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation and coordinator of the SD Med International Forum.      

Urban Space and strategy for sustainable development in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean region is an area of vital strategic importance to Europe , which both the EU Council and the European Commission have identified as a key priority for the EU. The populations  living along the coasts of the Mediterranean Basin are united not only by ancient historical and cultural ties, but also by the fact that they belong to the same ecosystem or eco-region. This historical and ecological unity is paralleled by many differences, which go over and above the traditional North-South divide. But regardless of the  different backgrounds of the countries in the region, the future of the Mediterranean basin depends on its people’ s ability to conceive a collective management, manifest interdependencies linking them, whether geographical (the sea), political, economic (trade), social (migratory flows) or cultural. Sustainable development can restore the sense of a common future for this region and can provide the opportunity to ensure the convergence of strategies led by various stakeholders. The future of the Mediterranean basin will depend largely on its urban space which has always been important in the Mediterranean but which will count 380 million inhabitants soon or 80% of the population of the whole of the countries. With nearly 80% of urban population about 2030, the future of the Mediterranean will depend mainly on cities and the ways of life of the urban populations. The stakes are a little different in the countries of the northern coast, where a process of  peri-urbanisation prevails in spite the moderate modes of demographic growth. In North as in the South, control of the urban development, improvement of the framework of life in the cities, the promotion of ways of life minus gaspilleurs and less pollutants, constitute major objectives to inflect the heavy tendencies of the urban growth.

« ….The future will undoubtedly depend on the policies followed locally, on the scale of the agglomeration, city, and district. There will need a strategic city planning, participation of the populations, taking into account all dimensions, economic, environmental and cultural of the urban fact. However, vis-à-vis with the immense challenges of a sustainable development, cities, alone, will not be able to do everything. A change of scenario supposes that the efforts are committed at the same time by the cities, provinces or areas and States, with the euro-Mediterranean support, to create necessary synergies and to work in the same direction. The future will also depend on the followed policies on the level of the countries, policies of regional planning at the national and regional level in favor of the medium-sized cities and the cities of the interior. In addition, at the Mediterranean and the Euro-Mediterranean level and, without an efficient regional co-operation, the networks of cities and the projects of decentralized co-operation will continue to have problems to be operational in the long term. Decentralized co-operation, alone, cannot face the stakes either. The area would profit from a programme of euro-Mediterranean co-operation which would mobilize the States as well as the European support in favor of the medium-sized cities and the urban zones in difficulty, to work effectively for a more sustainable urban development in the Mediterranean .... " (1)

Traditional Mediterranean urban space quality and current conditions

The Mediterranean region has traditionally developed exceptional expertise in architecture and urban design, showing great ingenuity in adapting to the climate ( mild, sunny winters, very high temperature peaks in summer ).The choice of layouts, openings, materials, patios and fountains and narrow shady streets have produced an urban environment and architectural heritage perfectly adapted to the climate. But more recently, urban expansion and changes in lifestyles have been contributing to the emergence of urban developments and architectures that, by their very design, are too disconnected from the climate, leading to an over-consumption of energy for heating and cooling (ventilation and air-conditioning). Glass-encased skyscrapers are increasing in the Mediterranean cities despite their being totally unsuited to summer heat. Yet a few simple building rules, satisfying new demands for comfort and adapted to the climate, would enable substantial cumulative savings for the whole life cycle of the buildings. To get back in touch with its climate, Mediterranean architecture could reintroduce a few simple building principles that it has jettisoned rather too rapidly. The principle of  sustainable architecture in the region can be mainly the principle of bioclimatic architecture :  to meet new demands for comfort and health for the occupants while reducing, even avoiding, energy expenditure on active heating, ventilation and cooling technologies. Architecture in the region could thus exploit several parameters, either using   the building cell or active technologies ( for heating and cooling ).

The Mediterranean region is particularly concerned by the very large expansion of air-conditioning which is expected to continue with the expected growth in urbanization and possibly global warming. Clear signs of a rapidly growing “air conditioning culture” have started to appear during the last decades. Reasons for this development include increasing thermal loads in buildings due to additional equipment, particularly office equipment, as well as cheaper and more widely available cooling technologies. Cooling has become a standard in cars, offices and commercial buildings which contributes to a demand for a "continuous" thermal comfort that is spreading also to households. This effect is much stronger in Mediterranean countries, where the climate and the rising living standards are creating a real “air conditioning culture”. The situation becomes more severe in urban environments due to the so-called “urban heat island” effect that increases the air temperature and consequently increases the needs for cooling and the smog formation in summer. The explosion of room air conditioners (RAC) sales confirms this trend.  

How to re-establish the urban space quality in the Mediterranean ? The role of sustainable construction.

The Athens SB05MED Conference “Sustainable Construction : action for sustainability in the Mediterranean region”[1], initiated by the SD-MED International Association [2] focused  on the necessary coupling of architectural quality with the environmental one in the Mediterranean urban space.  This event constituted a synergy of international range aspiring to articulate local, national, regional and international initiatives for the promotion of both the idea and practice of sustainable urban environment and more specifically of “sustainable building” and construction. That is to say the building that beyond its classic architectural virtues, beyond  its  architectural  quality implying social, economic and environmental aspirations, it is characterized by the minimization of its  environmental impact, that is, it is mostly characterized   by the environmental quality, from the excavation of raw material for its  construction, during its  proper construction, its operation,  its  maintenance, even in  its demolition, that is  during its whole life cycle and  furthermore in all spatial scales, that is  from the scale of  its  interior  space up to the planet scale. The topics and issues of the SB04MED Conference were prepared by the “SD-MED” Association  [2] Scientific Committee being responsible for the organizational and scientific coordination of the Conference. The main plenary session topics were structured around the following axes: 1. The specific conditions (economic, social, environmental, cultural) defining urban sustainability, Sustainable building (SB) and Sustainable Construction (SC) in the Mediterranean region. 2. The policies and strategies, the perspectives and barriers for implementation of SB in the Mediterranean countries. 3.There has been also a closing plenary trying to make a first synthesis of the round tables outcomes and trace conclusions. Furthermore, 14 Parallel workshops have taken place dealing with specific issues, ( for details see SB05MED Proceedings, www.sd-med.org) The major outcomes of  the SB05MED event can be, very briefly, classified as   follows:

A. Concerning methodologies, policies and standards for sustainable building and sustainable city all experts agreed on the fact that given the cultural, technical and environmental specificities   in the Mediterranean linked with energy and water use and the fact that the region is a privileged zone of exchange between North and South, there is a necessity to establish places, instruments and opportunities of technology transfer. Sensible issue for the region has been considered the need of subsidiarity in the application of various levels’ regulations ( local, national, regional-Mediterranean, European and international ). Furthermore, focal point has been the respective role and the complementarity between   regulations and market oriented measures. Thus, the problems and constraints that were  identified were first of all related to the need of new jobs, responsibilities, professional skills, and the relationships between those different jobs. The follow-Up of change and the need of concepts and of simple tools, easily applicable and adapted to the local cultures have been also identified.  The discussion about the Projects cost has led to the following conclusions: on the one hand to the necessary progress of investments since it has been argued that cost increase won’t be acceptable even if the life cycle cost favours that, and on the other hand to the necessity of using and developing innovative financial instruments and tax measures in this field.  

B. In the question “Where are we in the Mediterranean concerning building and city projects, systems and operations” a general remark has been revealed, that main constraint for implementation is  the inertia of the “old world”. All factors affecting dramatically the environment in the Mediterranean have been analysed ( e.g. the increasing air-conditioning culture )  and the availability of the scientific and technological knowledge on SB was put in question. It was pinpointed that industry as well as professionals and the public are not aware of the environmental impact of construction materials. The cost and the affordability of sustainable constructions was another main issue in the discussion structured around the necessary integration and dissemination of the life cycle cost concept.  The relevant proposals and recommendations were the following : 

-establishment of a regional mechanism that will gather data and  knowledge and will propose instruments and tools for design and  evaluation to actors involved in the construction and  provide information to state and local authorities to facilitate regulatory, volunteer, economic, investment and other policy measures.  

-Integration of SB design as priority course in architectural schools   

-Development of a mechanism of information and awareness raising to cope with the inertia of the “old world” and prepare the conditions for change.

 -Research coordination and dissemination of available techniques, focus on research for existing buildings and building stock.  

 -Multiply demonstration projects and support them financially.

 C.   In the question “where are we in the Mediterranean concerning Assessment and evaluation instruments and tools” the current situation has been presented as follows: Many environmental methodologies and methods for evaluating the environmental performance of buildings are being currently developed in the world, according to the local cultures and organisation. Especially for the Mediterranean we have to distinguish VERDE, a software system for assessing the environmental performance of buildings in. Besides, a project methodology, called "HQE", that is high environmental quality has been developed in France presenting a mostly open character:  it integrates a great number of parameters, requires a mode of management of the operations inspired by the international standard ISO 14001, and consists of a project methodology instead of a   simple ex-post certification like in the majority of the other existing methods. Thus, it offers an interesting framework for capitalising experience feedbacks, and for seeking common denominators. Furthermore the SD-MED Association is preparing the SD-MED Process tool. The main conclusions, recommendations and proposals of the session have been as follows: 

- Assessment tools, either rating or labelling, should be simple and friendly to the user. Nevertheless, it has been argued that reference values and systems (benchmarking) would be preferable.

-Green city tools at different scales (urban planning scale, neighbourhood scale) have to be developed. It was mentioned that there are some experiences in Europe  thus transfer of  knowledge in Mediterranean countries should be supported.

- Integration in the tools of economic and social aspects has been proposed, as well as involvement of actors like decision makers, private companies, industrial actors etc.

 -Case-studies are useful and related training and education programmes have to be developed. Effective use of such tools presupposes the existence of extensive databases with statistics, data on regulations etc. at national or regional level .  The need to “work together” was finally revealed.

D. Concerning financial instruments and mechanisms and specifically realities and perspectives of market development the issues discussed can be summarised in the following points :

-There were contradictory opinions about the use of novel and innovative financial mechanisms in financing energy efficiency in buildings and application of  RES in buildings.

-It was claimed that scarce public resources and funds mainly for rehabilitation of public buildings and other infrastructures lead to the need to implement public-private partnership schemes and third part financing.

-It has been pinpointed that provision of energy services has to be combined with the proper energy management in buildings.

 -About development of ESCOs in the Mediterranean , it was stated that the development of  ESCOs companies is inhibited by some legislative and market constraints. 

 -Indirect financial instruments were. Share of cost between the user and the community has been also mentioned, practiced in some cases.

The conclusions and Recommendations drafted by the session were quite important for the implementation of sustainable building in the region:

-Financial tools have to be complementary with other instruments or tools like policy tools, training and qualification measures.  

-Subsidies, meaning that over cost is resulting from SB are not adequate, nor sufficient. The need to identify best practices of financial instruments to mobilize funds and involve proactive key-players (investors, contractors, ESCOs etc) has been pinpointed.  

-In the Mediterranean , experience has to be developed from pilot projects implementing third party financing schemes, like it is already the case in , UK etc.

-Efforts and willingness of Mediterranean countries to clarify relevant legal framework have to be supported since key actors are quite ready in the market.

-Furthermore, the need of broad information of the public has been identified including a proposal on information points on SB and financial issues concerning its implementation. Raising public awareness in general and user’s participation has been also identified.

-To attract investors and other key-players we have to be attractive and convince about the profits of SB, about what is good for the user and the community as well, in terms, mainly, of value for money.

-Development of ESCOs has been recommended meaning not only energy but environmental service companies which presupposes an easy quantification of environmental quality .

 -Finally, the need to develop Life Cycle Cost Tools has been mentioned to facilitate not only energy but environmental performance contracting.   

 E. Suggestions to the EC and the SB05Tokyo [3]

A general way of action has been drafted by the main rapporteurs [3] : In order to proceed to the elaboration of more effective macro-regional  implementation concerning sustainable built environment, one has to find a solution to the following contradiction: -on the one hand create a common language, which will be necessary to exchange experiences and knowledge,  -on the other hand promote specific ways to reach environmental performances according to the geographical, cultural and technical local contexts.  -Furthermore, a general policy framework to achieve sustainability of the built environment at a macro-regional level (e.g Southern Europe or the Mediterranean basin) should first of all include the establishment of a mechanism to elaborate methodological bases needed to explore environmental excellence and diversity in different local conditions. These bases have to respond to specific problems and needs to help local actors to create their own systems. 

A strategic  proposal for coordinated action has been formed concerning the establishment of a Sustainable Building Observation Network  in the Mediterranean . This is an already expressed in various relevant congresses joint proposal of  the main rapporteurs (Kyvelou, Bidou, 2003). This observatory  has to keep its independent, non-governmental  and  coordinating character so as effective participation   of all the actors, players and stakeholders   be ensured  ( international organisations, states, local authorities, construction sector, and mainly NGO’s, civil society).   Beyond the above mentioned policies and techniques, enhancing transferability of innovative techniques, tools, methods and mechanisms can play a crucial role for an effective regional implementation concerning “sustainable building” in  the Mediterranean region.  

A Mediterranean SD-MED  process 

The idea of a new Mediterranean Sustainable Building process  was for the first time initiated by the SD-MED Network through a  LIFE –ENV Project ( SB-MED) concerning the enhancement of transferability of know-how  on sustainable building from northern countries in the Mediterranean region. The project, mostly based on the French approach HQE was aiming at shaping a specific Mediterranean methodology based on the HQE, with adaptability at a macro-regional level.  The SD-MED experts involved in the project [4] agreed on the principle that the above methodology has to be a process based on the triple“Efficiency” ,social, economic and environmental.   Given the fact that the HQE method concerns mainly the environmental dimension that is the minimisation of the building environmental impact, the team of experts   examine in the existing performance assessment tools how the three above dimensions ( social, economic, environmental ) have been integrated and [ropose a new process ( SD-MED Process)  based on the systemic and multi-criterial HQE method but enriched with social and economic factors as well. They also initiated an innovative Sustainable Development Management System.

Conclusions

Sustainable building is not a new technique. It is more a frame of mind, taking into account the consequences of all building-related decisions. In most cases, the techniques or know-how already exists. In the special case of the Mediterranean and Southern European area, local traditional architecture can provide numerous and very significant examples of environmental quality in building with emphasis to passive solar design and systems. In order to proceed to the elaboration of more effective macro-regional standards concerning sustainable built environment, we have to find a solution to the following contradiction: on the one hand create a common language, which will be necessary to exchange experiences and knowledge, and on the other hand promote specific ways to reach environmental performances according to the geographical, cultural and technical local contexts.( Bidou,2003) In the above analysed context, standardization and   technical solutions can have a crucial role. Nevertheless they cannot bring best solutions by themselves. They can only be tools for both  the decision-makers, the contacting authorities, the architects and the engineers. The way to use those tools will continue to be a matter of human ability to create built environment, with sensibility, technical competence, sense of dialog  and experience. This has been the concluding major outcome of the Euro-Mediterranean Athens Conference.

Endnotes :[1]    This congress has been a Euro-Mediterranean   co-operation and dissemination action in the frame of the Life-Environment Programme of the EU, and more specifically in the frame of the LIFE  Project concerning “Enhancing transferability of innovative techniques, tools methods and mechanisms to implement sustainable building in the Mediterranean basin. It was at the same time, a regional Event  prior to the Global  SB05 Conference "Action for  sustainability "   held  in  Tokyo , in September 2005. [2]  The  SD-MED Association “ Association for  co-operation on sustainable development and construction in the Mediterranean ” constitutes a Hellenic-French and international initiative, of non-profit character  aiming at a multi-level   and multi-dimensional cooperation around a common vision of  sustainable development. As cooperation of personalities and technocrats but also mainly architects and engineers with specialisation and expertise on sustainable development and sustainable construction focuses on  sustainable construction, considered as a action that can encourage the collaboration for the  sustainable urban  development  and her application in  projects that concern the building,  the built  environment, the city, the land planning, that is  in  projects  of all territorial scales. SD-MED’s ambition is, besides, to contribute, if possible, to the drafting of the Mediterranean Strategy of Sustainable Development which is being prepared by the Mediterranean Action plan and by the Blue Plan as well, and to integrate as much as possible the sustainable building and construction dimension in the above strategy. [3]  The Mediterranean SBC Report including the main suggestions to the Tokyo Global Conference, were elaborated in common by St.Kyvelou and D.Bidou. [4] See, “ Démarche SD-MED , permettant d’appliquer le développement durable au cadre bâti”, Editions PULIM , éditeurs : Hélène Pauliat, Stella Kyvelou, 2006

President Clinton Announces Landmark Program to Reduce Energy Use in Buildings Worldwide

May 16, 2007
New York, NY

President Bill Clinton today announced the creation of a global Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, a project of the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI). This program brings together four of the world’s largest energy service companies (ESCOs), five of the world’s largest banks, and sixteen of the world’s largest cities in a landmark program designed to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings.

Photo courtesy of David Scull/Clinton Foundation

“Climate change is a global problem that requires local action,” said President Clinton. “The businesses, banks and cities partnering with my foundation are addressing the issue of global warming because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s good for their bottom line. They’re going to save money, make money, create jobs and have a tremendous collective impact on climate change all at once. I’m proud of them for showing leadership on the critical issue of climate change and I thank them for their commitment to this new initiative.”

Urban areas are responsible for approximately 75 percent of all energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Buildings account for nearly 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and in cities such as New York and London this figure is close to 70 percent. The Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program will provide both cities and their private building owners with access to the necessary funds to retrofit existing buildings with more energy efficient products, typically leading to energy savings between 20 to 50 percent.

• Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Inc, Siemens and Trane will conduct energy audits, perform building retrofits, and guarantee the energy savings of the retrofit projects.
• ABN AMRO, Citi, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase, and UBS have committed to arrange $1 billion each to finance cities and private building owners to undertake these retrofits at no net cost, doubling the global market for energy retrofit in buildings.
• These banks will work alongside energy efficiency finance specialist Hannon Armstrong and CCI to develop effective mechanisms to deploy this capital globally. Cities and building owners will pay back the loans plus interest with the energy savings generated by the reduced energy costs thanks to the building retrofits.
• An initial group of sixteen of the world’s largest cities has agreed to participate in the retrofit program, and offer their municipal buildings for the first round of energy retrofits: Bangkok, Berlin, Chicago, Houston, Johannesburg, Karachi, London, Melbourne, Mexico City, Mumbai, New York, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo, and Toronto.

As part of the Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, cities have agreed to develop a program to make their municipal buildings more energy efficient and provide incentives for private building owners to retrofit their buildings with energy saving technologies. The retrofit program will be consistent with, and work within, city procurement and tendering rules. Participation in the program will be open to local banks and companies, who will be invited to contribute to the funding pool and to expand the list of green products used in retrofits. This is the first of many programs that CCI is organizing with partner cities in the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group, an association of large cities that have agreed to work together to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“Mayors are responsible for coming up with pragmatic solutions and implementing them effectively – and this program will allow us to do that,” said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “We’ve laid out an ambitious agenda to reduce our carbon emissions, 80 percent of which come from buildings, while being economically competitive and continuing to grow. By bringing together cities and partnering with the private sector, President Clinton and the Clinton Foundation are providing the tools to help cities accomplish our goals. I applaud their leadership and am proud to stand with our partners today.”

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, Chair of the C40, said: “The C40 brings together the world’s most significant cities to tackle climate change. This first program to come out of our partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative is a considerable breakthrough. This procurement alliance will make it financially feasible for cities to radically cut emissions from buildings. Fifteen cities have already signed up to take advantage of this initiative and I am confident many more will follow. National governments still struggle to agree a way forward on global warming, but cities, which are responsible for around three quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions, are today demonstrating the leadership and decisive action necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change.”

CCI and its partners will also assist participating cities with their initiation and development of programs to train local workers on the installation and maintenance of energy saving and clean energy products. The U.S. Green Building Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers have agreed to help coordinate these programs.

Listen to the press conference (mp3 - 13mb).

Downloadable Documents:
>>Download Fact Sheet (pdf)
>>Download Q&A (pdf)

About the Clinton Climate Initiative

Building on his long-term commitment to preserving the environment, President Clinton launched the Clinton Foundation’s Climate Initiative in August 2006 with the mission of applying the Foundation’s business-oriented approach to the fight against climate change in practical, measurable, and significant ways. In its first phase, CCI is working with the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group to accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CCI team members have visited nearly all of these cities and are working with them to define projects and take action.

The C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group is comprised of the following cities: Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Caracas, Chicago, Delhi, Dhaka, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Houston, Istanbul, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Karachi, Lagos, Lima, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Manila, Melbourne, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto, Tokyo, and Warsaw.

For more information contact the Clinton Foundation Press Office: press(at)clintonfoundation.org