ERASMUS IP Sustainable Refurbishment, Retrofit, Energy Management in Housing

Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings in Europe

Barriers and Policies

Maria Isabel Abreuisabreu@ipb.pt9th April, Vilnius

Europe 2020 is the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade

“In a changing world, we want the EU to become a smart, sustainable and inclusive

economy. These three mutually reinforcing priorities should help the EU and the Member

States deliver high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion.”

José Manuel BarrosoPresident of the European Commission

Employment, Innovation, Education, Social inclusion and Climate/Energy

to be reached by 2020

Each Member State must adopted its own national targets in each of these areas Concrete actions are essential

5 ambitious objectives

IMPORTANT DATES

- May 2010 - Recast of the EPBD Directive

- End of 2018 - Public buildings have to be nearly zero energy standards (nZEB)

- End of 2020 - All new buildings be nearly zero energy

- October 2012 - EED Directive enacted

- March 2011, the EC adopted the Communication "Energy Efficiency Plan 2011"

- Implementation of the EPBD Recast should be until 2012

- December 2011, the European Commission adopted the Communication “Energy Roadmap 2050”

The recast added several new requirements and strengthened others:

Setting up EU-wide nearly zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) requirements

Development of national plans for increasing the number of nZEB

Setting up energy performance requirements at a cost-optimal levels

Independent control systems for Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and Inspection reports

Reinforcement of the energy certification of buildings

Extended de scope to almost all existing buildings and major renovations

May 2010 - Recast of the EPBD Directive

New Energy Building Concept

A driver for reforcing building

refurbishment market

Member states should follow the leading example of the public sector buildings

by developing POLICIES

and define targets in order to stimulate the transformations of buildings that are refurbished into nZEB

May 2010 - Recast of the EPBD Directive

http://www.granlund.fi/en/news/granlund-is-nzeb-ready/

For saving more energy through concrete measures

Aims at creating substantial benefits for households, businesses and public authorities

It should transform our daily lives and generate financial savings of up to €1000 per household every year

It should improve the EU's industrial competitiveness with a potential for the creation of up to 2 million jobs

March 2011Communication "Energy Efficiency Plan 2011"

Establishes a common framework of measures for the promotion of energy efficiency within the Union in order to:

- Ensure the achievement of the Union’s 2020 20 % headline target on energy efficiency - Prepare the way for further energy efficiency improvements beyond that date

It lays down rules designed to remove barriers in the energy market and overcome market failures that impede efficiency in the supply and

use of energy

Provides for the establishment of indicative national energy efficiency targets for 2020

October 2012 - EED Directive

Some statistics for European Countries

New buildings can be constructed with high performance levels

The energy performance of our buildings is generally poor The levels of energy consumed in buildings represents one of the most

significant CO2 emissions sources in Europe

Older buildings, representing the vast majority of the building stock, which are predominantly of low energy performance and in need of renovation work

European legislation on buildings (EPBD) and energy efficiency (EED) requires European Member States to develop strategies on how to progressively transform their national

building stocks into an energy performing and climate neutral built environment

The implementation of DirectivesEPBD Directive 2010/31/EUEED Directive 2012/27/EU

The European Commission Action Plan for Energy Efficiency

For achieving a 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2020

Very low or ‘Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings' will become mandatory

for all new constructions from 2020 onwardsRoadmap 2050

The progress in energy efficiency has been slow

European Commission and several studies notice that

accelerated actions are needed before 2020

Energy efficiency is still relatively ignored by governments

New building construction rates are decreasing and refurbishment market rates are still not sufficient

http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/subida-do-custo-de-construcao-de-habitacao-nova-desacelera-para-2-2-em-setembro http://www.hotfrog.pt/Empresas/Isolamento-Impermeabiliza%C3%A7%C3%A3o-

Aguara-Grande/Reabilita%C3%A7%C3%A3o-de-edificio-centenario-35827

Most of the EU member states still have insuficient political will to act on energy efficiency

EU member states are required to present to the EU Commission:

Their national definitions of nZEB The implementation of the National Plans

Due to the economic crisis and pressure on national budgets

Energy efficiency in buildings is often not a political priority

Each country need to reflect the national understanding of nZEB, in line with local climate, economic and cultural conditions

Including barriers and strategies or POLICIES

Many countries are struggling to respond to the European requirements and to the deadlines

Market

Barriers for energy

efficiency in buildings Financial

Technical

Awareness/information and a education

Institution/organization and decision making

Firstly, some barriers are being identified and characterized by several studies

A better understanding of constraints/barriers for each EU

country is still needed

Barriers

Incentives are not working properlyInsufficient or lax regulation

Unclear regulations on labeling of products for buildingsFrequent changes on regulation

Lack of supervision and enforcementEnergy price uncertainty

EE has no effect on price or rent of the buildingLack of funds or access to finance

Low incomesMany stakeholders involved (owners and occupiers of buildings)

Many times who invest is not who benefits from energy savings - split incentivesLack of advice and information

Not sufficient skills and knowledge related with professionals and companiesLack awareness on payback times and energy savings potential

Some of the most relevant identified in several studies (interviews and inquires)

EPBD Directive (Regulation)Subsidies Some information and tools Regulatory demandsEcological taxesR&D Programs Some funding for favored energy sourcesThe firsts action plans or strategy for energy efficiencyCertification System (since 2009)Energy audits and voluntary agreementsTraining and education Credits facilities

Existent Policy Instruments in the European Countries

They have been insufficient and another options are needed in the future to accelerate the energy refurbishment of

buildings market

Direct Indirect instruments

Financial

Awarness

Requires, mandate and proscribes Incentivize

Financial (incentives) are considered a good alternative or complement to regulatory

Policy Instruments

Regulatory

Some studies research recommends a holistic policy approach which can deliver on energy, climate and economic goals

Regulations

Building Policy Options for Energy Efficiency

in Buildings

UtilitiesIncentives Awareness

Targets

Strengthening building energy codes/regulationsAppliance and equipment standards

Building efficiency improvement targetsGovernment procurement targets

Data collection AuditsRating and certification programsPublic awareness campaigns Disclosure of energy certificates Public campaigns

Dynamic pricing of electricityDemand responseUtility public benefits fund

Technical and workforce

Training and technical assistanceDisturbance of the occupants

Grants Risk mitigation guaranteesEnergy efficiency fundsTax incentivesEnergy performance contracts

Source: BPIE

There is a great potential offered by energy saving policies for buildings

The combination between national energy saving targets and common European energy efficiency measures is essential

Refurbishment building market need to grow faster

There is a growing need for good policy measures for building construction sector to

achieve 2020 target

Thank You