This paper investigates the nature and concept of performance-based approach in building design control with particular focus on building energy efficiency. The meaning of performance-based approach is explained and the current developments of performancebased building energy codes in some representative countries are described. Experience in these countries indicates that performance-based approach in building energy code is important for promoting innovation and new techniques in energy efficient building design. It can also help minimise the limitations of prescriptive criteria which are commonly found in current building control codes. The recent development in Hong Kong to establish a performance-based building energy code is explained to illustrate the practical considerations. The implication of performance concept to the future development of building energy codes in Mainland China is reviewed and discussed. It is found that performance-based codes often require higher level of skills from the designers or users and could be more complicated in the implementation and validation. In order to ensure their success and effectiveness, it is important to build up the institutional and human capacities in the local building industry.

• building codes and standards
• energy
• performance-based building codes and standards