The district energy industry has received a global boost through a global initiative supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The UNEP has called for governments, state owned enterprises and procuring authorities all around the world to rapidly develop modern and affordable district energy systems to reduce carbon emissions and to keep global temperature rise to within 2 degrees Celsius by 2050. Individual countries are also embracing energy efficiency policies which include modern and renewable energy systems. Further, global industry associations, such as the International District Energy Association, are increasing in influence and provide support to their members in developing district energy projects.

The collective objective is to achieve sustainable energy through accelerating district energy projects in cities around the world. This is an enormous task. The UNEP’s initial focus is to support the developing of district energy projects in 16 ‘deep dive’ cities throughout India, China, Chile and Serbia. In addition to this, there are another 17 countries that will seek to develop pilot projects in cities throughout Europe, North Africa, Asian and Latin America.