TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan now requires home sellers to disclose building energy efficiency labels and green building status in property listings as part of a push for greener mortgage lending.
Business Today reported on Jan. 13 that the rule applies to buildings that already hold official building energy labels or green building certification. The information must be clearly shown in real estate disclosure sheets so buyers can review energy performance before signing contracts.
Officials said the change will help buyers better estimate future power bills. It will also give banks clearer benchmarks to design and price green finance products.
The policy reflects a broader push to reduce emissions from buildings, which officials say are among the hardest sectors to decarbonize. The Ministry of Environment said buildings consume more than half of the world’s raw materials.
“Most building-related carbon emissions occur during daily use rather than construction,” the ministry said. Cooling, lighting and electrical appliances account for about 70% to 80% of emissions from homes and commercial buildings.
Officials emphasized that improving energy efficiency during occupancy can deliver faster and more lasting emissions cuts. This makes energy performance data at the point of sale especially important for buyers and lenders.
Authorities are also promoting a full life-cycle approach that looks beyond construction. Developers are being urged to design smarter buildings, use certified green materials, and plan ahead for careful demolition and material reuse.
Officials said proper teardown and sorting could cut construction waste by about 60%. This would also ease pressure on landfill space and help manage disputes over construction debris.
The Ministry of the Interior said more than 15,000 buildings nationwide already carry green building labels. Since the building energy efficiency labeling system launched in 2023, 309 buildings have received energy labels.
Of those, 160 have reached the top tier, known as near-zero carbon buildings. Officials said these projects are setting a new benchmark for the housing market.
Real estate firms said buyers are paying closer attention as electricity costs rise and energy data becomes easier to compare across properties. Banks are also preparing to link loan rates and terms to energy performance to steer the market toward lower-carbon housing.
