Abstract: The promotion of Energy efficiency in buildings has gained prominence worldwide as a result of several issues ranging from high level energy demand for buildings to high cost of the energy at construction and post-construction stages. There exist a serious concern regarding problems of energy supply and consumption. Studies have shown that buildings approximately use 39% of the total energy consumed globally. In view of this environmental issue, increasing cost of energy and the current economic challenges; building energy efficiency is a key component of sound public policy. It is evident that preaching energy efficiency through incentives and disincentives alone may not be the only solution to these environmental challenges. A radical approach need to be employed through provision of rules and regulations in the form of codes to reduce the effect of these monumental environmental problems in developing countries most of which are in the tropics. This paper seeks to highlight several public policy efforts made locally and internationally on the ways to militate against this menace. It illustrates the role of government in setting and enforcing energy codes and standards. The study suggests strategies towards effective energy code development, implementation and compliance at all levels of government in Nigeria and concludes with recommendations on how best to achieve the said goals.