Financial support for energy saving measures in buildings across the EU varies widely, but a full picture is clouded by a lack of accurate data compiled by member states, according to two new reports.
A long-awaited European Commission paper on financial support for energy efficiency measures in buildings, published on 18 April, found that investments in the area were increasing.
The long recession is increasing the attractiveness of energy saving investments in buildings, according to a new survey of construction and real estate players by the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE).
“Deep retrofits will be crucial to achieving lasting value,” the report says.
As financial assets have grown more risky, investors have found that building renovations cut energy costs, increase property values and prevent such assets from depreciating, according to Oliver Rapf, BPIE’s director.
Buildings account for over 40% of the EU's final energy demand and are a major source of greenhouse-gas emissions, making energy savings there a key element of European climate change objectives. However, it remains to be seen whether Europeans will be able to tap into the area with the single biggest potential – the existing building stock.
European nations have signed up to an objective of reducing the EU's primary energy use by 20% by 2020. It was estimated that such savings would slash the EU’s CO2 emissions by 780 million tonnes and save €100 billion in fuel costs.
Without further guidance, EU countries may mismanage their energy efficiency commitments and risk missing their energy savings' target, says a report by the Buildings Performance Institute Europe.
The report aims to provide guidance for member states to meet the EU’s rules on implementing “cost-optimal” methodology to take into account the lifetime costs of buildings under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Without further guidance, EU countries may mismanage their energy efficiency commitments and risk missing their energy savings' target, says a report by the Buildings Performance Institute Europe.
The report aims to provide guidance for member states to meet the EU’s rules on implementing “cost-optimal” methodology to take into account the lifetime costs of buildings under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
