1st Renovation Stand
On Tuesday 1st of March, the Renovate Europe Campaign launched its Renovation Stand in front of the European Parliament.
This initiative, put forward with the scope of increasing visibility and raising awareness on the need of boosting energy renovation all across the European Union while also highlighting the multiple benefits that come from its deployment, was a success.
Many people, from public officials to other citizens, approached us to learn more about building renovation and get key insights on the essential role it plays in increasing the well-being of citizens and towards achieving our 2050 climate goals.
From the REC office, we are already working on future dates, so don’t miss the opportunity and come join us next time!
Op-ed: Sitting on our hands is no longer an option (ECEEE)
Published by ECEEE on: 25 Feb 2022 | The predicted invasion of Ukraine by Russia has occurred. There are dark days ahead and consequences for all Europeans. With his actions, President Putin has further jeopardised the energy security of the EU as too much of our primary energy is sourced from Russia, mostly passing through Ukraine. We must act now on several fronts, not least in our homes and workplaces by moving urgently to energy renovate them.
REC Feedback to EPBD Proposal
The revision of the EPBD must set the whole of the building stock in the EU on a clearly planned trajectory towards deep renovation if the EU is to meet its 2050 carbon neutrality goals.
That is why from the Renovate Europe Campaign we have considered our duty to use this period of feedback, opened by the European Commission, prior to the adoption of the directive to provide our comments.
Long-term planning towards deep renovation will guarantee that the building sector contributes its fair share towards the green transition, but it will also provide a sustainable solution to the rising energy price crisis, through a reduction of citizens’ energy needs, alongside multiple other benefits. In a time of high EU-wide public investment being channelled to energy renovation through the Recovery Funds but also potentially through the EU’s 2021-2027 MFF budget, the EPBD cannot fall short on its renovation goals.
Renovate Europe therefore raises the following concerns and proposes the following recommendations:
- Apply Energy Efficiency First to the ZEB definition
- Set deep renovation as the guiding principle of MEPS
- Follow a long-term plan to strengthen the scope of MEPS to the full building stock through National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs) and Building Renovation Passports (BRPs)
- Better align EPCs for the deep renovation of the full building stock
Read REC’s full feedback here.
REC Newsletter - December 2021
Welcome to the Renovate Europe Campaign’s newsletter which looks back on a quite busy year!
Highlights include the publication of the Renovate2Recover Study, which was undertaken by E3G with input from the Campaign’s National Partners. In addition, we celebrated this year the 10th anniversary of the Campaign during a social event together with friends and colleagues and organised on the same day the Renovate Europe Day 2021. REDay2021 was supported by 4 National Partner Events and one EU Supporting Partner Event. We have also issued a letter to the EU Energy Ministers as a response to the energy prices rises and been active advocating through our opeds (we published 6 this year!). Finally, we are delighted to welcome 5 new Partners!
Thank you to our 49 Partners and the buildings community at large for all the achievements this year, and we wish you a happy and peaceful holiday break!
Read the full Newsletter here.
Op-ed: Better data needed to manage our buildings (Euractiv)
Published by Euractiv on: 8 December 2021 | Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have immense, as-yet untapped potential to help Europe decarbonise. But the methodology that underpins them must be revamped first, argues Adrian Joyce, who is calling for reform as part of the upcoming revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Op-ed: A piecemeal approach on energy standards for buildings won’t work (Euractiv)
Published by Euractiv on: 26 November 2021 | Decarbonising Europe’s building stock requires robust Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), not a piecemeal approach that fails to regulate buildings that are ripe for renovation projects, writes Adrian Joyce.