Going beyond traditional buildings energy codes (new approaches): Governments need to check compliance and enforce their building energy codes. The ultimate objective of building energy codes should be to move buildings from net energy consumers to net energy producers. By increasing the stringency of energy requirements each time building energy codes are updated, it is possible to move towards nearly zero-energy consumption for the overall building, including all its appliances and equipment. Using renewable energy sources from the building itself and other neighbouring buildings can help with this transformation, and is key to achieving net energy production from buildings.