New Green Building Guidebooks Presented to Advance Energy Efficient Construction

On November 25, UNDP in Armenia, in partnership with the World Bank (WB) in Armenia and the RA Urban Development Committee, presented a comprehensive set of new advisory materials designed to strengthen Armenia’s transition toward green, climate-resilient, and energy-efficient construction practices.

Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, Fabrizio Zarcone, WB Country Manager for Armenia, and Davit Grigoryan, Deputy Chairman of the Urban Development Committee of Armenia, welcomed the event participants that brought together representatives from the government institutions, development partners, professional associations, academia, and the private sector.

The following key publications were officially launched:

• WB’s Green Building Design Guidebook;
• UNDP’s Guidebook on technical solutions for insulation of buildings’ envelopes; and
• Database/Catalogue of Insulation Materials and Prefabricates.

These resources provide practical, evidence-based guidance to architects, engineers, construction professionals, municipalities, and homeowners. They aim to help mainstream energy-efficient design, improve insulation practices, and support climate-responsive building approaches across Armenia.

Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, highlighted the importance of strengthening national capacity for green development: “Armenia’s ambition for climate resilience and sustainable development requires practical tools that bridge the gap between policy and implementation. These guidebooks will support government institutions, professionals, and communities in adopting greener, safer, and more efficient building practices.”

Fabrizio Zarcone, WB Armenia Country Manager emphasized the impact of the building sector on mitigating and adapting to extreme weather conditions: “A concerted action to reduce the impact and the footprint of the greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to keep the planet liveable for future generations. To reinforce the transition to a more sustainable and greener construction in Armenia, these guidebooks aim to provide insights and knowledge for practitioners in the industry to ensure more resilient, efficient and sustainable built environment.”

The materials contribute to Armenia’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy, and the country’s broader goals for resilient and inclusive growth.

The newly published guidebooks carry advisory nature and will serve as long-term resources for public institutions, designers, developers, and academia, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient built environment in Armenia.

The event was organised within the framework of the UNDP-GCF “De-risking and Scaling-up Investment in Energy Efficient Building Retrofits” project and the World Bank’s Urban and Disaster Risk Management Technical Assistance Program with the financial support of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).