Regulation is key to Renovation Wave

Minimum Energy Performance Standards for all existing buildings and an extended requirement to renovate all public buildings, including schools, hospitals and town halls is key to spur the Renovation Wave.

Brussels, 14 October 2020 

With the publication of the Renovation Wave Strategy today, the European Commission tackles one of the major challenges of the EU’s climate and energy policy. The goal is to at least double the annual energy renovation rate which would help to reduce energy consumption in the buildings sector by 14% compared to 2015.

The Coalition for Energy Savings welcomes this commitment. Delivering it will bring immediate benefits for citizens and support a strengthening of the EU’s 2030 energy efficiency target.

The Coalition for Energy Savings had asked repeatedly for a combination of regulatory and financial instruments to increase renovations rates and depth in order to tap the energy savings potential in the buildings sector.

The Coalition for Energy Savings is pleased that the Commission proposes the introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards via a revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and an extension of the renovation requirement to all public buildings (Article 5 of the Energy Efficiency Directive) including town halls, schools and hospitals.

Regarding technical and financial support, the Commission outlines several ways how to increase access to the EU’s existing instruments and the next EU seven year budget including the recovery facility. However, a decidated funding instrument is still missing.

Quote from Adrian Joyce Secretary General of EuroACE and Chairperson of the Coalition for Energy Savings.

‘The Renovation Wave sets out a lot of good and inspiring ideas. For the first time, the Commission has put substantial time and thoughts behind a travel plan that focuses on renovating Europe’s existing building stock and we’re fully on board! To see it executed, now we need to navigate the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive.’

Quote from Stefan Scheuer, Secretary General of the Coalition for Energy Savings.

‘Regulatory action is essential for the EU to accelerate energy renovations and to close the biggest climate investment gap. So far, very little public financing goes to building renovation due to a lack of demand and access to and availability of adequate support. The Renovation Wave actions need to be implemented fast and decisively to deliver results for 2030.’

Quote from Claire Roumet, Responsible for Overall Coordination of Energy Cities, The European association of cities in energy transition, member of the Coalition for Energy Savings.

“Energy Cities welcomes the Commissions’ proposal to extend renovation requirements to all public buildings. Our members are eager to improve their buildings: town halls, schools and hospitals. This can inspire our citizens to improve their own homes every time they step into one of these buildings. But inspiration is not enough. We need to provide our municipalities and our citizens with significant financial and technical support to achieve ambitious retrofits. Mandatory Energy Performance Standards are helpful but must be accompanied by the necessary support for cities. The spirit of the Green Deal and the goal of a just transition can only be met if we actively support those doing the work.’