On 14 Οctober 2020, the European Commission published its Renovation Wave Strategy to improve the energy performance of buildings. With this, the Commission initiates a series of actions to double renovation rates in the next ten years, in order to cut emissions, boost recovery and reduce energy poverty, among which:
- Introducing stronger regulations, standards and information on the energy performance of buildings:
- the 2021 review of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will include a phased introduction of mandatory minimum energy performance standards for existing buildings and the possible introduction of a deep renovation standard, updated rules for Energy Performance Certificates, a possible extension of building renovation requirements for the public sector and a proposal on Building Renovation Passports and Digital Building Logbooks;
- the 2021 review of the Renewable Energy Directive will consider strengthening the renewable heating and cooling target and introducing a minimum renewable energy level in buildings.
- Ensuring accessible and well-targeted funding, e.g., under NextGenerationEU, simplified rules for combining different funding streams, and multiple incentives for private financing.
- Increasing skills and capacity across all relevant sectors to prepare and implement renovation projects.
- Expanding the market for innovative, sustainable or nature-based construction products, services and solutions.
- Introducing revised legislation on marketing of construction products, material reuse and material recovery.
- Creating a European Bauhaus, an interdisciplinary project co-steered by an advisory board of external experts across the EU.
- Developing neighbourhood-based approaches for local communities to integrate renewable and digital solutions and create zero-energy districts.
The changes are key and at the same time big and ambitious, therefore a strong role is foreseen for the EPBD Concerted Action!