Emerging economies face a dual challenge today: meeting rapidly growing electricity demand while accelerating renewable energy deployment and maintaining reliable, affordable power. Expanding cooling demand, urbanisation and electrification are increasing pressure on electricity networks, particularly during peak periods, threatening reliable supply and affordable tariffs. Buildings that concentrate the majority of electrified end uses such as space heating and cooling, water heating, and EV charging can be used as active grid resources by shifting or shaving electricity consumption in response to grid conditions and renewable generation.
The high-level session will bring together country representatives, international organisations and technical experts to position Grid and Demand Flexible Built Environment as a critical enabler of clean energy transitions. Convened by UNEP in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change India and International Solar Alliance, the session will explore how emerging economies realise the potential of buildings as active grid assets through smart technologies, demand response, renewable energy integration and innovative market mechanisms.
Through high-level policy dialogue, the session will examine key regulatory and technical enablers, institutional coordination, innovative financing mechanisms and scalable implementation models for demand-flexible buildings drawing on successful country examples. The discussion aims to identify opportunities for demonstration projects, mobilise investment and foster a collaborative roadmap for accelerating grid and demand flexibility in the built environment across emerging economies.