16 Oct to 17 Oct, 2025
Secretariat@energyefficiencyhub.org
Retrofitting Buildings for an Energy-Efficient, Low-Carbon Future: Forum on Domestic and International Practice
Event Information
The building sector is critical to achieving the doubling of the global rate of energy improvement by 2030. Existing buildings are essential to the effort and pose particular challenges, and sharing of international best practices is key to accelerating progress in all countries. This forum brought together government officials and experts from the private sector, international organisations, and research institutions to discuss existing and emerging practice. Forum objectives were:
- Feature lessons from China: Showcase China’s experience with a range of national and local policies, programmes, and financing instruments deployed to retrofit buildings;
- Spotlight international work: Share replicable examples of programmes from other countries and understand how these could be applied in other settings; and
- Highlight existing and new technologies: Learn about results from using currently-available technologies and share views on how to apply emerging technologies to building retrofits.
The event was co-organised by the National Center of Technologies Innovation for Green and Low-Carbon Buildings (NCTI-GB) 国家建筑绿色低碳技术创新中心, the Center of Science and Technology and Industrialization Development of China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development 住房和城乡建设部科技与产业化发展中心, China Quality Certification Centre 中国质量认证中心, and the Energy Efficiency Hub 国际能效中心.
The forum was hosted by the National Center of Technologies Innovation for Green and Low Carbon Buildings (NCTI-GB) and the Energy Efficiency Hub.
The in-person forum commenced with a day of site visits around Beijing, followed by a full day of in-person panel sessions. To learn more, download event agenda.
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Agenda
Day One: Site Visits
- Beijing Daji Lane, Luomashi Street
Step into Beijing’s first large-scale zero-carbon building demonstration district, where cutting-edge design meets sustainability. This retrofitted commercial zone integrates photovoltaics, energy storage, and grid interaction, setting a new benchmark for urban decarbonisation.
- 29, Guangximen Beili, Beijing Research & Development Center of Building Energy Efficiency
Witness the transformation of a 1987 brick-and-concrete building into a net-zero energy, carbon-absorbing facility. Through advanced insulation, electrification, and smart energy management, this retrofit showcases how old structures can lead the way in climate innovation.
- China Architectural Design and Research Group (CADG) BIM Building
Explore a smart, efficient, and 3-star green building designed with full lifecycle analysis using BIM technology. Though newly built, its approach offers valuable lessons for retrofitting existing buildings with digital precision and sustainability in mind.
- Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall
Discover Beijing’s green urban planning innovations, while preserving its cultural identity. The exhibition hall highlights achievements from the city’s core district plan, offering a glimpse into the capital’s sustainable transformation.
Day Two: Forum
- Session I: Technologies for Building Retrofits
- Session II: Keys to Implementing Retrofit Policies
- Session III: Scaling Financing for Green and Efficient Buildings
- Session IV: Financing Building Energy Retrofits – Deep Dive on ESCOs
The event featured high-level opening and closing ceremonies. Download event agenda.