Renovation Wave
Experts urge rethink of energy metrics to fully decarbonise buildings
Primary energy consumption is a metric that is commonly used worldwide, including by the European Commission. Most experts agree though that the metric is not fit for purpose when it comes to measuring energy use in buildings.
How to go faster and further on building renovation to sever ties with Russia
Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted the EU to start getting serious about its energy policy and cut its reliance on Russia. To do that, building renovation must be a priority in the EU's REPowerEU Action Plan, due in May, writes Adrian Joyce.
To boost renovation, EU wants to reset single market for construction materials
Faced with growing pressure to renovate homes and reduce energy demand for heating, the European Commission has tabled a proposal to revitalise the EU's moribund market for construction products.
Europe’s booming demand for heat pumps exposes bottlenecks
Sky-high gas prices have sent demand for heat pumps booming across Europe, exposing a range of bottlenecks limiting industry's ability to deliver, including a shortage of skilled labour, as well as the need to simultaneously insulate buildings to ensure maximum efficiency.OpinionPromoted content
The Construction Products Regulation (CPR): the right tool for connecting a product’s environmental performance to the EU’s evolving building requirements
Since its adoption in 2013, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) has proven to be a pillar of the European single market. By establishing uniform rules for the CE marking of construction products and materials, industry professionals, public authorities, and consumers alike can now easily compare the performance of different products.
Public and new buildings must lead the energy transition
Each EU country must ensure that at least 3% of the floor area of buildings owned by public bodies are renovated every year – including hospitals and schools, not just buildings owned and occupied by central government, write Jutta Paulus and Ciarán Cuffe.
EU countries told to set up ‘one-stop-shops’ to help homeowners renovate
In order to double the renovation rate of buildings, the European Commission has requested EU member states to provide technical assistance to homeowners by setting up one-stop-shops that will guide consumers throughout the renovation process.
EU confronted with lack of skilled labour to support building renovation wave
The EU’s push to improve energy efficiency in buildings and reduce the amount of fossil fuel they consume could create more than 160,000 jobs in the energy and heating sector by 2030, according to the European Commission.
EU to start measuring ‘embodied’ carbon emissions from buildings
The European Commission is considering a new EU-wide requirement to measure the carbon emissions associated with construction materials throughout their whole lifecycle but is expected to stop short of regulating for now.
LEAK: Draft EU law introduces new standards to decarbonise buildings by 2050
A draft EU directive, due for publication on 14 December, introduces minimum energy performance standards for existing buildings undergoing major renovation works as part of a renewed push to achieve a zero-emission building stock by 2050.
Community renovation projects are key to supporting the green transition
Both tenants and homeowners need to be involved in renovation programmes to bring Europe's ageing building stock in line with its climate goals. Energy cooperatives could be one way to encourage citizens' support, writes Ciarán Cuffe.
‘Inaccurate’ EU energy labels for buildings up for review
Energy performance certificates (EPCs) for buildings are sometimes so inaccurate that they can even become a hindrance to the EU’s climate goals, industry says. The upcoming revision of the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive could offer a way out.
How the European Central Bank can unleash the building renovation wave
Trillions is needed for the deep building renovations required to meet Europe's climate targets. To make this happen, EU institutions need to use the network of banks across Europe and incentivise loans for home renovation, argue finance campaigners.OpinionPromoted content
Log on to the C4E Forum For Energy Efficient Inspiration
Looking for provocative opinions and dynamic new approaches to energy efficiency in Central and Eastern Europe? Searching for an interactive way to share innovative ideas that could inspire real future change in the region? Ondrej Sramek is the Corporate Affairs...
Achieving climate neutrality will depend on how we decarbonise our building stock
Effiecient, technological and smarter buildings should be the cornerstone of Europe's decarbonisation, but more effort needs to go towards renovating the bloc's current building stock, writes Seán Kelly.OpinionPromoted content
Our renovation dream needs a reality check
I’ve been involved with the renovation of buildings for more than a decade. I’ve campaigned for policies to put renovation at the top of public agendas and I’ve worked on hundreds of retrofit sites across Europe. Barry Lynham is Managing...
France to capitalise on ‘resounding success’ of green renovation
The government's MaPrimeRenov' scheme, which helps households make energy efficiency renovation of buildings is a "resounding success", France's ecological transition ministry said on Monday (19 July), hoping many more will apply to the scheme in 2021. EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs are calling for complete elimination of cancer-causing asbestos
The European Parliament has called for the creation of a strategy to completely eliminate cancer-causing asbestos in a bid to strengthen workers' protection and reduce exposure to this common chemical.
Make the Fit for 55 package fit for cities
Europe's new and revised climate legislation needs to enable cities to reach climate neutrality by mid-century, including by encouraging more building renovation and driving the transition to clean energy, European mayors write.
EU bets on energy savings, greener buildings to meet climate target
The European Union will require countries to renovate energy-guzzling buildings faster and meet tougher targets on energy savings as part of its drive to meet its climate goals, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.
EU energy ministers support doubling renovation rates by 2030
Europe’s 27 energy ministers on Friday (11 June) backed calls to double Europe’s building renovation rates by 2030 in order to repair their crisis-hit economies, tackle energy poverty and “create green buildings for the future”.
An ETS for transport and buildings is essential
An EU-wide emissions trading system for the transport and building sectors would secure the financing of low carbon solutions and support lower-income households and member states through the redistribution of carbon pricing revenues, argue Matthias Buck and Andreas Graf.
Heating our homes without heating up the planet
A handful of leading manufacturers of heating systems are paving the way for clean heating, showing that ditching fossil fuel boilers is not only possible but also financially desirable, write Davide Sabbadin and Mélissa Zill.
Fit and fair: The case for a European fund for targeted renovation
The European Commission's commitment to create a "climate social fund" is very welcome but its design will be crucial if it is going to have an impact on building renovation, write Louise Sunderland and Samuel Thomas.Supporter
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