Towards an effective energy labelling programme for commercial buildings : A comparative evaluation of the Green Buildings for Africa programme in relation to international experience
Date
2008-12-22T09:27:39Z
Authors
Reinink, Marloes Wilhelmina
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Abstract
International experience indicates that energy labelling programmes are rapidly
evolving as a valuable tool for energy efficiency awareness and practice in the
built environment. Four years after the launch of the South African labelling
programme, Green Buildings for Africa (GBfA), it became evident that
implementation was not successful. This study evaluates the contribution of a
range of factors towards the sustained implementation and uptake of energy
labelling programmes for commercial buildings based on a comparative appraisal
of relevant international case studies and the GBfA. The analytical process is based
on three types of energy labelling categories (mandatory energy audit, voluntary
energy audit and voluntary benchmarking scheme) and two categories of factors
(contextual and programme-specific). The key finding is that government
involvement and support is critical, if not a prerequisite, for successful roll-out of
an energy labelling programme. Key recommendation is that a local programme
be initially based on a voluntary benchmark programme approach.
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Keywords
energy, energy labelling, Green Buildings for Africa, commercial buildings, energy policy, energy audit, benchmarking, green buildings