 Rapid urbanization has caused global warming and resource depletion, leading to increased interest in zero-energy building, ZEB, and zero-emissions building, ZEB, technologies. Several countries have released ZEB enhanced strategies and set national standards and policies to promote ZEBs, but construction projects remain limited to demonstration projects. This paper evaluates global ZEB activities and state-of-the-art technologies for energy efficient residential building technologies based on an assessment of 40 residential buildings. The results showed that 62.5% of the buildings met or exceeded the ZEB standard, 25% were net zero-energy buildings, and only 12.5% were near zero-energy buildings. Solar PV was the most widely used renewable energy source in the studied cases, while in warmer climates, advanced cooling technologies and heat pumps were the preferred technologies. Thermal performance of the building envelope and solar energy were found to be the most effective mechanisms for achieving energy efficiency and shaping sustainable cities. This article was authored by Gamal Ali Muhammad, Mahmood Mabruk, Guachenghi, and others. We are article.tv, links in the description below.