IFC and Switzerland Support Semarang to Implement Green Buildings Codes

SEMARANG, KalderaNews.com – IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the government of Switzerland have been supporting Semarang in Central Java Province to improve the city’s energy efficiency through IFC’s Green Buildings Market Transformation Program. The aim is to encourage and support major cities like Semarang to develop and implement policies that will reduce the use of electricity, CO2 emissions, and water consumption.

Semarang joins Jakarta and Bandung as pioneer cities to implement the green buildings codes in the country. Subsequently, this will potentially help Semarang save 28 percent of energy consumption and 27 percent of water consumption. Indonesia is among the five largest greenhouse gas emitters, and the buildings sector is one of the country’s largest final energy consumers.

The Mayor of Semarang, Hendrar Prihadi, said, “As part of its commitment to reduce emissions by 29 percent by 2030, the Indonesian government is pushing for higher energy efficiency in buildings. To take it forward, it is necessary to modernize building construction with smart strategies to save energy and minimize impacts of climate change within a local climate context. Through this green building policy, Semarang is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 28 percent.”