Overcoming Barriers to Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Buildings: different types; similar challenges
Europe faces an enormous challenge in finding ways to mitigate climate change and improve energy security, whilst remaining competitive in a global economy.
The huge energy efficiency potential of buildings has been recognised – improved buildings could cut Europe’s total energy use by over 20%, chopping €270 billion off energy bills and reducing CO2 emissions by 460 million tonnes per year.
But buildings come in all shapes and sizes; from residential to commercial to public, buildings vary by function and by tenure situation.
How can we best harness the energy saving potential of such a diverse stock of buildings and occupants?
The optimal solution varies according to the type of building.
Suggested policy packages are
| | New buildings | Existing buildings |
Residential buildings
|
| Owner-occupied |
- Preferencial loans for significant energy performance improvements combined with energy audits with organisational support
- Mandatory performance evaluations combined with regulatory benefits fore above-standard performance
|
- Preferential loans for significant energy performance improvements combined with energy audits with organisational support
- Energy upgrading requirements combined with energy audits with organisational support
|
| Private rental |
- Mandatory performance evaluations combined with regulatory benefits for above-standard performance
- Tax credits for installing energy saving products combined with energy audits with organisational support
|
- Tax credits for installing energy-saving products (for landlords) combined with energy audits with organisational support
- Energy upgrading requirements combined with energy audits with organisational support
|
| Social rental |
- Mandatory performance evaluations combined with regulatory benefits for above-standard performance
|
- Energy upgrading requiements combined with energy audits with organisation support
|
Commercial buildings
|
| Owner-occupied |
- Mandatory performance evaluations combined with regulatory benefits for above standard performance
- Tax credits for installing energy saving products combined with energy conservation agreements
|
- Tax credits for installing energy-saving products combined with energy conservation agreements
- Energy upgrading requirements
|
| Private rental |
- Mandatory performance evaluations combined with regulatory benefits for above-standard performance
- Tax credits for installing energy saving products combined with energy conservation agreements
|
- Tax credits for installing energy-saving products combined with energy conservation agreements
- Energy upgrading requirements
|
Public buildings
|
| Owner-occupied |
- Above-standard requirements for government buildings combined with energy audits width organisational support
|
- Above-standard requirements for government buildings combined with energy performance contracting
|
Click here for a complete analysis of building types, sectors, tenures and regions.
