The emissions from the buildings sector more than doubled in Ecuador between 1990 and 2019. The sector relies mainly on liquid fossil fuels (oil and others) and electricity, which contributed 48% and 45%, respectively, to the energy mix in 2019. Other sources with minimal contributions include biomass, with a 7% share. Heat and fossil gas contributed less than 1% to the sector’s energy mix each.
Following a 1.5°C compatible pathway, Ecuador’s buildings sector would need to double its electrification from 45% in 2019 to 90% by 2050. The contribution from liquid fossil fuels would need to reduce to less than 10% by 2050.
Ecuador’s buildings sector could be fully decarbonised by 2052 latest. To achieve this, energy efficiency measures and electrification will play a key role.
Several initiatives are already being implemented, such as the “Programa de Eficiencia Energetica para la cocción”, which is expected to reduce 0.15 MtCO₂ by 2025 through the introduction of induction stoves for household cooking.16 Further reductions could be achieved through electrification, coupled with an increase in renewable energy generation.
Ecuador´s NDC includes also other initiatives; however, these are conditional on international support.17 One such initiative is the “Plan Nacional de Eficiencia Energética” which aims to increase energy efficiency in various sectors, including buildings.16
1 Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador. Primera Contribución Determinada a nivel nacional para el Acuerdo de París bajo la Convención Marco de Naciones Unidad sobre Cambio Climático. Gobierno de Ecuador 1–44. 2019.
2 Plan Nacional de Mitigación del Cambio Climático (PLANMICC). Climaton.ec. 2021.
3 International Energy Agency (IEA). IEA Country Report: Ecuador. 2020.
4 MERNNR. Plan Maestro de Electricidad 2019-2027. MERNNR Ministerio de Energía y Recursos No RenovablesMinisterio de Energía y Recursos No Renovables 390. 2019.
5 Ministerio del Ambiente (Ecuador). Primer Informe Bienal de Actualización de Ecuador. 2016.
6 Meta en Ecuador para depender menos del petróleo aún no se alcanza. El Universo. 2019.
7 Gobierno de Ecuador. Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático del Ecuador 2012-2025. vol. 148. 2012.
8 Ministerio de Energía y Recursos Naturales No Renovables (Ecuador). MINISTERIO DE ENERGÍA INICIÓ LA ELABORACIÓN DEL PLAN ENERGÉTICO NACIONAL DEL ECUADOR PROYECTADO AL 2050. Boletín de prensa. 2021.
9 Secretaría Nacional de Planificación y Desarrollo (Ecuador). Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2017-2021-Toda una Vida. 84. 2017.
10 Ministerio de Energía y Recursos Naturales No Renovables (Ecuador). Ecuador actualiza su Plan Maestro de Electricidad para impulsar inversiones en Energías Renovables No Convencionales por cerca de USD 2.200 Millones. Boletín de Prensa. 2021.
11 Energía Estratégica. Ecuador anuncia convocatorias para construir más de 1000 MW de energías renovables. Energía Estratégica. 2021.
12 Alvarado, P. Plan de electricidad busca captar inversiones por cerca de USD 2 200 millones. El Comercio. 2021.
13 Cristina, P. M. A. Análisis del Plan Nacional de Eficiencia Energética en el Ecuador. REVISTA RIEMAT 5, 28–34. 2020.
14 Ministerio de Ambiente del Ecuador. Ecuador’s forest reference emission level for deforestation. REDD UNFCCC Submissions 59. 2015.
15 Ministerio del Ambiente (Ecuador). Bosques Para el Buen Vivir: Plan de Acción REDD+ Ecuador 2016-2025. 2016.
16 Ministerio del Ambiente y Agua del Ecuador. Plan de Implementación de la primera Contribución Nacional Determinada a nivel nacional del Ecuador 2020-2025 (PI-NDC). Preprint at www.ambiente.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2022/02/Plan-de-Implementacion-NDC-2020-2025.pdf (2021).
17 República del Ecuador. Primera Contribución Nacional Determinada a nivel nacional para el Acuerdo de París bajo la Convención Marco de Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático. Preprint at www.ambiente.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2022/02/Primera-NDC-Ecuador-2020-2025.pdf (2019).
Ecuadorʼs energy mix in the buildings sector
petajoule per year
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Oil and e-fuels
- Biofuel
- Biogas
- Biomass
- Hydrogen
- Electricity
- Heat
Ecuadorʼs buildings sector direct CO₂ emissions (of energy demand)
MtCO₂/yr
- Historical emissions
- SSP1 High CDR reliance
- High energy demand - Low CDR reliance
- Low energy demand
1.5°C compatible buildings sector benchmarks
Direct CO₂ emissions and shares of electricity, heat and biomass in the buildings final energy demand from illustrative 1.5°C pathways for Ecuador
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | Decarbonised buildings sector by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Direct CO₂ emissions MtCO₂/yr | 4 | 1 to 3 | 0 to 1 | 0 to 1 | 2035 to 2052 |
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Share of electricity Percent | 45 | 65 to 77 | 88 to 92 | 89 to 90 |
Share of heat Percent | 0 | 0 to 1 | 0 to 2 | 2 to 4 |
Share of hydrogen Percent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |