KATHMANDU: Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN) project has kicked off.

The project aims to support the building sector in achieving low-carbon and resource efficiency in the Nepali building sector by integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in the design and construction of the buildings as well as retrofitting of old buildings.

Minister for Urban Development, Metmani Chaudhary and EU Ambassador to Nepal, Nona Deprez, jointly inaugurated the project amidst a program in Kathmandu today (Tuesday), said a press statement issued by the BEEN project.

The project is supported by the EU under Switch-Asia Program and will run for four years in 60 municipalities covering four bio-climate zones across Bagmati, Lumbini and Gandaki provinces. The project cost is 2.71 million Euro.

The project supports the realization of Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG) 12- Responsible Consumption and Project, SDG 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 7-Affordbale and Clean Energy, SDG 13- Climate Action, SDG 5-Gender Equality as well as some of the important Nationally Determined Commitments (NDCs).

The project has four outputs related to capacity building, policy environment, financial instruments and market system and it intends to build capacities of micro, small and medium enterprises engaged in the building construction to adopt/transfer their services and products offerings for energy efficient building design and construction.

On the occasion, the Minister expressed his hope the Project would play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and minimizing air pollution. He called for the implementation of the Project in line with the government policy.

Stating that Nepal was attempting to move ahead as a developing nation, he said Nepal’s sole efforts, however, were not sufficient for the same. Cooperation from the international and private sector is required towards that end, he added.

National Planning Commission member Dr Ram Kumar Phuyal said the government wished to implement the energy efficiency program in cooperation with the private and community sectors and with experts. “The government is committed to achieving the goals of Sustainable Development.”

Lalitpur metropolis deputy-mayor Manjali Shakya Bajracharya said the Project was vital for energy efficiency. She was of the view of implementing the project through its fusion with Nepali indigenous technology.

Similarly, the EU ambassador said, “Building sector in Nepal is the largest energy consuming sector, hence, decarbonizing the building sector will be a key for Nepal to achieve its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2045. EU through Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN) project will contribute to achieve this target by making Nepalese building sector greener by integrating energy efficiencies and renewable energy measures.”