GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — A team of regional experts working to develop a building code that is energy efficient has reached consensus on a Draft Caribbean Application Document (CAD).

The team has also  endorsed  a programme of work for the effective, efficient and timely completion of the code.

The steps were taken at the second meeting of the Regional Project Team (RPT) held in St Vincent and the Grenadines, earlier this week.

The RPT comprises energy efficiency and standards development experts that were nominated by National Bureaus of Standards from across the Region.

Its mandate is to review and determine an optimal approach for adapting and developing an appropriate code for consideration as the Energy Efficiency Building Code (EEBC) for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The EEBC, which will address all aspects of energy use in buildings, is expected to reduce the dependency on imported fossil fuels within the Region by reducing buildings’ energy consumption. Furthermore, it can substantially contribute to compliance with domestic targets for sustainable energy use and global commitments for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction.

At its first meeting in Kingston, Jamaica earlier this year, the RPT approved the use of the International Energy Conservation Code 2018 (IECC 2018) as the reference code for the Regional EEBC. Since then, the Draft CAD was developed, through cooperation between the CARICOM Secretariat and the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ).

The Draft CAD was reviewed by Committees established within the Member States that engaged key stakeholders.

The revised draft of the CAD will now be open to the general public in Member States for validation.