Shared Learning between Austria and Bhutan for enhancing sustainability in the built environment

Buildings are responsible for more than one-third of global energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions. They also generate vast amounts of waste, contributing to environmental degradation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. These impacts are felt acutely in developing countries like Bhutan, where building regulations are limited, infrastructure is vulnerable, and climatic extremes are increasing.

The S-LAB project addresses this challenge by establishing Bhutan’s first Sustainable Building Laboratory at Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (JNEC). This centre of excellence will focus on building physics, sustainable design, and building energy modelling, using a socio-technical approach that integrates engineering, social science, and cultural context.

A key capacity-building element is the introduction of TU Graz’s micro-credential training in building physics and sustainable building design. This will be delivered remotely by TU Graz in the first year, with the aim of enabling trained JNEC staff to take over delivery (at JNEC) in the second year. Over the longer term, the experience and materials developed may support the creation of a fully accredited programme within the Royal University of Bhutan.

By linking academia, government, and industry, the project will strengthen Bhutan’s capacity to achieve net-zero energy building targets, improve indoor environmental quality, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and foster economic opportunities by upskilling the emerging green workforce. Through its close connections with the Bhutanese Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources the S-LAB project will help to strengthen sustainable building practices, policies and legislation in Bhutan.

• Fully equipped Sustainable Building Laboratory at JNEC, including computers, specialist software, conferencing equipment and field monitoring equipment
• TU Graz-delivered micro-credential training in building physics and sustainable building design, with the aim of enabling JNEC staff to deliver the programm locally in the future; potential development of an accredited advanced diploma at the Royal University of Bhutan beyond the project period
• Comprehensive training of JNEC staff with TU Graz mentorship in socio-technical research methods, project management, building energy modelling, and sustainable design practices
• Delivery of training to graduate students, industry professionals, and government agencies on energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable construction
• Implementation of pilot research projects generating data to inform future building regulations and sustainability policies in Bhutan
• Organisation of outreach workshops for communities and industry on topics such as indoor air quality improvement, energy-efficient retrofits, and sustainable building solutions
• Strengthening of the national policy framework for sustainable construction through collaboration with the Department of Energy, Bhutan
• Increased participation of women and marginalised groups in the building and energy sectors through targeted inclusion measures
• Enhanced international research collaboration and visibility for Bhutanese and Austrian institutions in the field of sustainable building