Globally, approximately 1.5 billion people do not have access to electricity, often living far from the electricity grid. Household solar systems and lanterns allow those consumers access to electricity and replace costly, harmful kerosene lamps and candles. While solar lanterns play an important role in curbing kerosene usage and providing light to students, more sophisticated solar systems have been developed in recent years that provide a range of functions to customers – from mobile…

Gasifiers produce wood gas which is a syngas fuel which can be used as a fuel for furnaces, stoves and vehicles in place of petrol, diesel or other fuels. During the production process biomass or other carbon-containing materials are gasified within the oxygen-limited environment of a wood gas generator to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. These gases can then be burnt as a fuel within an oxygen rich environment to produce carbon dioxide, water and heat. One of the main uses of wood…

Energy has been described as the missing Millennium Development Goal (MDG), the catalyst without which other goals for issues such as health, education and gender equality cannot be achieved. Studies indicate that access to modern energy services and particularly electricity has a positive effect on local economic development and closely correlates to a country’s UN Human Development Index (UNDP, 2012).

Nowadays, over 75% of the world’s energy generation is consumed in urban areas alone and more than half of that is consumed in buildings. This has a major impact on our environment and contributes to climate change.

It is estimated that buildings use more than 40% of the total energy generated for heating, cooling and lighting, among other uses. Many people still depend on artificial light during the day. This may be due to inefficient design and construction using climate inappropriate materials, combined with poor understanding of thermal comfort, passive building principles and energy conscious behaviour. All these factors contribute to tremendous energy wastage.

The building code is a tool that interacts with the planning law and as such is a part of the authorities’ resources whose purpose is to guarantee the right to sustainable cities and safeguard a healthy and comfortable urban environment. At the same time, it should provide valid solutions according to the local climate, social needs and transformations, local cultural identity and cultural practices.

Building materials play a very important role in the adaptation of buildings to the local climate. The capacity to insulate, transmit and store heat, as well as the natural regulation of indoor temperature and humidity in buildings are all determined by the materials used.

The transition towards clean energy and sustainable use of resources calls upon all stakeholders across different sectors of society to make fundamental changes. While significant efforts need to be made to create awareness and build the capacity of existing practitioners in the building sector, future professionals in the sector should receive targeted training that will give them the skills and tools they need planning, designing and building sustainable human settlements.