In Brazil, most initiatives on the adoption of sustainable buildings correspond to incentives for companies that desire to pursue such path.

There is no regulation requiring a certain percentage of energy consumption to come from renewable sources, but in Brazil, power production derives mainly from hydroelectric plants. Only one-third of the energy derives from thermoelectric plants.

There are some incentives, and state and municipal laws, intending to promote the adoption of solar heating in the construction sector, but none of them imposes an obligation to adopt renewable sources. As an example, Rio de Janeiro State Law No. 5,184/2008 requires at least 40% of water heating systems in public buildings to run on solar power. In São Paulo, State Decree No. 45,765/2001 created the program for the reduction and rational use of power in the state. The decree requires that, in case of public tenders, the invitations to bid for new construction or renovations must use rational systems for power. At the municipal level, Law No. 14.459/2007 of the municipality of São Paulo requires that new buildings destined for residential and non-residential use must contain solar heating systems.