What’s in it for me? A Discussion on the CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (CREEBC)

Over 300 builders, architects, and professionals in the building and construction sectors of CARICOM Member States registered to have an opportunity to learn more about the CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (CREEBC) on September 30th.

The Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), in partnership with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards & Quality (CROSQ), through a project funded by the Technical Assistance Programme for Sustainable Energy In the Caribbean (TAPSEC) hosted a two-hour webinar to familiarize practitioners with the pertinent aspects of the Code.

The webinar, one of two with partners CROSQ, was entitled: “What’s In It For Me? A Discussion on the CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code” and aimed to sensitize the sectors, examine the importance of energy efficiency codes in a Caribbean context, and also answer burning questions that practitioners might have about the requirements of the Code.

Panellists included CCREEE’s Sustainable Energy Expert, Ms. Cornelia Schenk; Chairman of the CROSQ Regional Project Team for the development of the CREEBC, Mr. Churchill Norbert; and LEED Green Associate and Civil Engineer, Ms. Amoy Theobalds-Prospere. Director of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards, Mr. Verne Emmanuel moderated the session.

During her presentation Ms Schenk highlighted that, “buildings are a key driver for energy demands and emissions, due to rising temperatures globally. What we fail to do now”, she said, “will be locked in for the next decade as buildings are long term structures.” This outlook was supported by Mr Norbert who reinforced that the Caribbean needs to reverse current trends and decarbonise at a rate of 3% annually. He noted, “In 2020, we are not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.”

The CREEBC provides the region with hope. Mr Norbert shared sentiments that “the code belongs to us.” “It is the 1^st of its kind for the region; it is up to date and speaks to minimum requirements for achieving energy efficient buildings”, he said. Likewise, Ms Theobalds-Prospere highlighted several Caribbean structures which have been built to Leadership in Energy Efficiency Design (LEED) standards, some attaining platinum certification. It is therefore possible for the region to build efficiently, reducing fuel supply demands and imports.

A complete recording of the webinar can be accessed here, while individual presentations are also available below:

• Presentation on the CREEBC by Z. Churchill Norbert
• Presentation on Energy Efficient Building Design - A Global Perspective by Cornelia Schenk
• Presentation on LEED in the Caribbean by Amoy Theobalds-Prospere

Interested persons can also access a read-only copy of the CREEBC via this link.