Context
Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Industry, cities and rising demand for cooling are causing electricity consumption to soar, and this electricity is mainly generated from fossil sources. That said, industry and buildings are areas with enormous untapped potential to conserve energy and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs. This can also support attainment of the country’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Objective
Public and private stakeholders are able to make industry and buildings more energy efficient and achieve a lasting reduction in electricity consumption.
Approach
The project concentrates on energy efficiency in three areas:
1. Industry:
o It advises Bangladesh’s Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) on implementing the energy audit regulations, which require energy consumption to be assessed.
o It is also developing digital databases so that energy audits can be analysed.
o It establishes energy efficiency networks for companies, with the aim of facilitating discussion.
2. Buildings:
o The project supports SREDA in developing training courses on energy-efficient building design for architects and engineers. In this context, it supports women in technical professions and leadership positions by providing gender-equitable continuing education and training.
o It cooperates with property developers to implement pilot projects.
o In addition, it makes use of demonstration projects that promote the national building code.
3. Cooling:
o The project supports the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) in enforcing minimum standards and labels for air conditioning systems.
o At the same time, it runs information campaigns aimed at consumers.
o It is developing a broad understanding of the reasons for purchasing climate-friendly cooling appliances.