New action plan for renovation and economic recovery by BPIE

(17 Apr 2020) BPIE – The Buildings Performance Institute Europe, has released a strategy to deliver climate-neutrality for Europe’s buildings by 2050 with a set of recommendations which could support economic recovery post COVID-19, and trigger a renovation wave.

The action plan – An Action Plan for the renovation wave: collectively achieving sustainable buildings in Europe – lays out an evidence-based strategy for the buildings sector with actionable guidelines specific to each group along the value chain. The aim is to support the transition to climate-neutrality, while pulling Europeans out of energy poverty, and growing the green economy.

“As we are confronted by the Corona crisis it is time to consider combined responses to our biggest challenges. We can address climate change and support the economic recovery at the same time, e.g. by getting serious about launching a renovation wave. This would be a collective effort which creates better living conditions for all,” says Oliver Rapf, Executive Director of BPIE.

According to BPIE, the building sector represents significant potential for economic growth, emissions reductions, and improved quality of life. It is responsible for 40% of Europe’s energy demand and 36% of CO2 emissions.

The “renovation wave” for buildings was first proposed by the European Commission’s Communication on the European Green Deal in December 2019. The European Commission is expected to deliver a detailed “renovation wave” strategy by the third quarter of 2020.

The economic growth strategies described in the European Green Deal will be an important element of the post-crisis recovery programme. In this context, the renovation wave should play an important role, BPIE writes.

View the report and press release here.