Zambia: Energy Efficiency Solutions in Public Buildings

During a recent mission to Zambia, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre met with key stakeholders and ministries discussing and identifying energy efficient solutions for immediate implementation in Zambia’s public buildings. 

 Closing data gaps and reviewing building codes 

The mission involved productive discussions with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development regarding the integration of energy efficiency measures into national building codes. The Ministry expressed strong interest in reviewing codes to prioritize energy conservation measures. 

 Collaboration with Academic and Research Institutions 

In parallel, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre engaged with academic institutions like the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University, focusing on enhancing their energy efficiency curricula and addressing data gaps in building energy use.   Collaborations were initiated with Centre for Energy, Engineering & Environment Zambia (CEEEZ) to close these data gaps and build local capacity for managing energy-efficient projects. 

Identified Energy Efficiency Interventions

The mission also identified several key Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) that can be immediately implemented in Zambia’s public institutions: 

• High-Efficiency Lighting: Immediate opportunities were identified for installing energy-efficient LED lighting, significantly reducing energy consumption in buildings such as healthcare facilities.
• Building Insulation: Improving the building envelope's insulation was highlighted as an essential step to minimize energy loss, ensuring better thermal regulation and reducing cooling needs.
• Hybrid Ventilation Systems: Introducing hybrid ventilation systems, including electric fans, will not only improve air circulation but also lower reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning units, creating a more sustainable energy footprint.
• High-Efficiency Clean Cooking Solutions: Clean cooking solutions, crucial for reducing emissions in healthcare and community kitchens, were identified as another immediate area for intervention.

Conclusions and Next Steps

The mission’s findings underscore the potential of these energy efficiency initiatives. The support from the Zambian government, especially the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development, provides a strong foundation to influence national policies. The integration of energy efficiency standards into building codes would be a major step forward in reducing energy consumption across the public sector.  Additionally, the identification of capacity-building initiatives will drive immediate action, particularly in the health sector. The identification of ECMs which have the potential to deliver substantial energy savings, improve energy resilience, and support Zambia’s broader sustainable development goals.  As Zambia moves forward with these initiatives, the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre’s mission in September serves as a foundation for continued collaboration, ensuring long-term energy efficiency and resilience in public institutions.  UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre's work in Zambia is supported by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.