# Energy Efficiency in Buildings

## Source Metadata

<table id="bkmrk-fieldvalue-sourcecbi"><tr><th>Field</th><th>Value</th></tr><tr><td>source</td><td>cbi</td></tr><tr><td>source\_version</td><td>CBI Taxonomy (current)</td></tr><tr><td>source\_id</td><td>CBI-BLD-001</td></tr><tr><td>cbi\_sector</td><td>Buildings</td></tr><tr><td>bond\_eligible</td><td>Y</td></tr><tr><td>mitigation</td><td>Y</td></tr><tr><td>adaptation</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>last\_checked</td><td>2026-05-26</td></tr></table>

## CBI Sector Criteria

CBI Buildings Criteria define eligibility based on building energy performance. New buildings must achieve energy performance in the top 15% of their local market to qualify. Existing building retrofits must demonstrate a 30% or greater reduction in carbon emissions or energy intensity. The criteria use a trajectory approach, with performance thresholds tightening over time to align with net-zero pathways for the building sector by 2050.

## Eligible Activities &amp; Assets

Eligible assets include: high-performance new commercial and residential buildings; deep energy retrofits of existing buildings (envelope, HVAC, lighting); building electrification projects replacing fossil fuel heating with heat pumps; district heating and cooling system connections; building energy management systems (BEMS) and smart building controls; insulation and fenestration upgrades; and on-site renewable energy generation integrated into building design.

## Certification Process

Verifiers assess building energy performance certificates (EPCs) or equivalent ratings. Pre-issuance assessment includes energy modeling, design specifications, and baseline energy performance data for retrofits. Post-issuance monitoring requires actual energy consumption data demonstrating that performance targets are met. Building certification schemes (LEED, BREEAM, EDGE) provide supporting evidence but do not substitute for CBI-specific performance thresholds.

## LATAM Market Context

Buildings sector green bonds in LATAM primarily finance commercial real estate meeting green building standards. Mexico's FIRA and Banobras have issued green bonds with building efficiency components. Colombia's Bancolombia and Davivienda have included green building loans in their green bond portfolios. The region's rapid urbanization creates substantial demand for energy-efficient building investment.

## Colombia Green Finance Taxonomy Alignment

The TVC includes building energy efficiency as a priority eligible activity. Colombia's Resolución 549 de 2015 establishes national building energy efficiency standards, and the EDGE certification program (supported by IFC) is widely adopted. CBI criteria complement Colombian building codes by providing an international certification layer that attracts foreign green bond investors.

## Cleantech Taxonomy Crosswalk

Maps to Cleantech Taxonomy sector BU (Buildings) — specifically BU-EE (Energy Efficiency). Cross-references to ES (Energy) for on-site renewable energy and district energy, IC (ICT) for smart building systems, and XS (Cross-Sectoral) for urban sustainability planning.