Submit/Manage Event Terms & Conditions

Workshop: Unlocking the energy efficiency potential in the rental & multifamily sectors

Start/Stop Date:
20 Jan 2016
Organiser:
Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, on behalf of DG ENER
Venue:
Hotel Sofitel, Place Jourdan 1, 1040 Brussels.
Focus Areas:
Focuses on split incentive barriers and policy and financing mechanisms to overcome them
Type of Event:
Conference

Background

While the rental and multifamily sectors are associated with a significant energy efficiency potential, it is widely recognised that these are difficult sectors to tap into. Asymmetric information and split incentives are typically regarded as major barriers to fostering energy efficiency upgrades in rented and multi-unit properties both in the private and public as well as residential and commercial sectors. As Article 19 of the Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency calls for Member States to take appropriate measures addressing this barrier, increased interest is drawn on how to design policies and measures that unlock the energy efficiency potential in these difficult-to-access sectors. Current solutions vary in nature, ranging from revised rent acts, green leases, on-bill finance mechanisms, minimum energy performance standards, use of inclusive rents and others.

On-going policy dialogue needs to address the following questions:

  • Can regulations offer a silver bullet solution (e.g. by setting minimum energy performance standards in the rental sector)?
  • Do we need energy rating schemes for occupancy use?
  • What can be the role of smart meters in overcoming relationship asymmetries associated with traditional lease structures?
  • Can innovative financial mechanisms such as on-bill finance mechanisms work in the EU?

Limited number of seats available. Contact: Paolo Bertoldi  paolo.bertoldi@ec.europa.eu

Agenda

08.45-09.00       
Registration of participants

09.00-09.20       
Welcome note by DG JRC and introduction by DG ENER

Session 1 The role of rent structures in scaling-up energy renovations

09.20-09.40       
The economics of capitalising efficiency investments, Nils Kok, Maastricht University, Netherlands

09.40-10.00       
Monetary value of energy efficiency and its impact on the value of the building, Risto Kosonen, Aalto University, Finland

10.00-10.20       
Willingness to pay for energy efficiency in the rental sector, Adan Leobardo Martinez Cruz, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

10.20-10.40        Q&A session

10.40-11.00         Coffee break

Session 2  Engaging commercial tenants in energy efficiency

11.00-11.20       
Tenancy ratings under the Australian Built Environment Rating System, Chris Bloofield, Energy Action, Australia

11.20-11.40       
From Energy Star to Tenant Star: the US experience, Adam Sledd, Institute for Market Transformation US

11.40-12.00       
Latest developments on the use of green leases in Europe, Bruno Duquesne, Lawyer at the Brussels Bar Partner CMS DeBacke, Belgium

12.00-12.20      
Overcoming barriers to energy upgrades in multi-owned properties: (1) lessons from the WICKED retail project and (2) residential issues, Susan Bright, Oxford University, UK

12.20-12.40        Q&A session

12.40-13.40         Lunch break

Session 3  Legislations as an energy efficiency driver

13.40-14.00       
Study on Tenancy Law and Energy Efficiency, Christoph U. Schmid, Universität Bremen, Germany

14.00-14.20       
Energy efficiency and tenancy law – the German experience, Thomas Wölfl, KPMG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft, Germany

14.20-14.40       
Energy efficiency friendly tenancy &condominium laws – the French experience, Catherine Guermont, ADEME, France

14.40-15.00       
Roof insulation requirements in the rental sector in Flanders, Dorien Van Cauwenberge, Flemish Housing Agency, Belgium

15.00-15.20        Q&A session

15:20-15:40        Coffee break

Session 4  Aligning multi-actor incentives through innovative financial instruments

15.40-16.00       
Design aspects of the Better Energy financing scheme for rented homes in Ireland, Kenneth Cleary, Department of Energy, Communications & Natural Resources, Ireland

16.00-16.20      
Success stories of on-bill finance programmes from the US and lessons for reaching rented properties, Philip Henderson, Natural Resources Defense Council, USA

16.20-16.40       
The Dutch experience with the revolving fund for landlords, Kees Jan Hoogelander, Netherlands Enterprise Agency, The Netherlands

16.40-17.00        Q&A session

Session 5  Roundtable

17.00-17.45       
Discussion among MS representatives on the EED Article 19 implementation progress, remaining challenges and possible improvements in case of a future revision of the article

17.45            
Wrap-up and conclusions

18.00                        
End of the workshop