Engaging stakeholders in the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: example of collaboration in the UK through the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes

David Weatherall, Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes, c/o Energy Saving Trust

Keywords

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, collaboration, partnership, stakeholders, energy efficiency, housing, homes, energy performance certificates, allies, opponents

Abstract

The paper focuses on the role of the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes (EEPH) in responding to the transposition into UK law of Article 7of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).The paper discusses the work of a formal, multi-sectoral partnership in responding to EPBD and in aiming to increase its impact and effectiveness.

EEPH is a voluntary network with 700 members from the supply chain for domestic energy efficiency and 17 structured working groups organised around particular industry sectors or issues. With such a comprehensive footprint, EEPH has been central to information dissemination about EPBD to the industry and provided a pool of experts for consultation. Seminars and workshops have been staged on different aspects of the directive implementation.

The working groups of the Partnership - with formal structured support on planning and delivery - have collaborated to increase the impact of the legislation. For example, the home purchase working group of the Partnership has worked with banks on the introduction of preferential mortgages (green mortgages) for energy efficient homes, linked to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

The paper examines different elements of the EPBD requirements affecting the domestic sector – in particular Energy Performance Certificates for home sales - and how these have been or will be introduced in the UK. It considers how the formal partnership structures provided by the EEPH are supporting and responding to the transposition process, and where challenges have arisen in the process of building collaboration.