A Renovation Wave Strategy for Europe

15-10-2020 | EU

On October 14th, 2020 the European Commission released its Renovation Wave Strategy. According to the communication document, “the objective is to at least double the annual energy renovation rate of residential and non-residential buildings by 2030 and to foster deep energy renovations. Mobilising forces at all levels towards these goals will result in 35 million building units renovated by 2030. The increased rate and depth of renovation will have to be maintained also post-2030 in order to reach EU-wide climate neutrality by 2050”.

The key principles for building renovation towards 2030 and 2050 include energy efficiency first, affordability, decarbonisation and integration of renewables, life-cycle thinking and circularity, high health and environmental standards, tackling the twin challenges of the green and digital transitions together, respect for aesthetics and architectural quality.

The Commission has identified three areas considered as a priority for policy and financing, as they offer huge potential for increasing renovation rates, while delivering large energy savings and healthier and more comfortable buildings for citizens. These are: a) tackling energy poverty and worst-performing buildings; b) renovating public buildings, such as administrative, educational and healthcare facilities and c) decarbonising heating and cooling.

The Renovation Wave Strategy is not only about improving the energy performance of EU’s building stock; it expands further on enhancing the buildings’ indoor environmental quality & supports the health and wellbeing of occupants. It is also clear that a wide scale implementation of appropriate ventilation strategies is in this context a crucial aspect.

Further information can be found at:

 

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