One Page Summary

The EU is facing a double challenge: increasing building renovation rates while aiming at achieving “deep renovations”1. Increasing the current EU renovation rate from 1.2 % per annum to 2–3 % is essential to meet both the EU 2020 targets and the commitment undertaken in Paris in December 2015. About 75 % of the EU’s 210 million buildings are not energy efficient, and 75 % to 85 % will still be in use in 20502. Approximately 40% of EU’s building stock predates the 1960s and is in dire need of renovation. Unlike emerging economies such as China and India that are experiencing an explosion of new building, new construction in EU represents only about 1% of building stock. EU energy efficiency laws for buildings are some of the world’s most progressive, but the implementation is patchy and varies by country. Full execution of existing regulation is needed to promote both energy-efficient new builds and retrofits, the latter being where most gains can be achieved. Indeed, most buildings present today in the EU will still be standing in 2050. Yet, renovation rates across the EU are low, standing at approximately 1% of the building stock. Only a minority of upgrades are substantial or what experts refer to as “deep retrofits”. Therefore, efforts need to double to meet EU energy efficiency goals by 2030 and 2050. The retrofitting toolbox proposes has been developed through diverse energy efficiency building projects across Europe achieving the recognition from the European Commission as RESSEEPE (http://www.resseepe-project.eu), a European project of more than 13.6 M€. The tool-box will pay attention to the most important aspects of a building’s performance, providing a simple entry point to what can be a very complex area. This will concentrate on the the roof and façade systems and the circular approach of the toolbox has two main modules; 1. Active and Passive technologies; the diversity of technologies tested during the last years will select the most feasible technologies from diverse Cost-Benefit Analysis supporting; This will be in form of technology packages which will be assisted by the toolbox. The technology will enable the user to select the best group of technologies for retrofitting to improve the challenges which have been outlined as follow: - Building insulation to improve thermal comfort and energy savings. - Production of renewable energies. - Re-naturalization of the building, favouring biodiversity. We will furthermore encourage ease and quickness of installation with the retrofitting activities to ensure the end user has an easier and simple methodology for achieving the targets. This will include BIM processes and tools which will encourage easy data exchange and cooperation. OPTIONAL; 2. Circular Economy Approach; To move away from the linear economic model of ‘take, make, and waste’ and towards resource efficiency, Europe needs to integrate the circular economy in the buildings not only from the energy-self-sufficient, also from the waste generated in the buildings. The waste produced from the citizens will be integrated into composting communities which will be used in common areas to neighborhood vegetable gardens. - Creation of new recreational areas for better neighbourhood coexistence. 1 There currently isn’t a common definition of “deep renovation”. The European Commission defines deep renovation as at least 60 % energy savings compared to pre-renovation levels (European Commission Staff Working Document (SWD(2013) 143 final) 2 Impact Assessment for the amendment of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, SWD (2016) The green roof area will also provide recreation areas for users/residents to roam freely enjoying the open space and greenery to improve user comfort levels through air quality, aesthetical pleasing, food growth, habitats for animals and several other health benefits.