LIFE Integrated projects 2016 Climate Action

Stage 1 - Concept Note (CN) forms

LIFE Integrated Projects 2016- CNa

LIFE 2016 FOR ADMINISTRATION USE ONLY

LIFE16 IPC/

PROJECT

Project title (max. 120 characters):

BELGIUM Renovates for Energy Efficient living

Project acronym (max. 25 characters):

LIFE IP CA: BE REEL!

The project will be implemented in the following Country(ies) and/or Administrative region(s):

Belgium: Flemish Region and Walloon Region

Expected start date: 1/1/2018 Expected end date: 31/12/2024

PROJECT POLICY AREA

You can only tick one of the following options:

Climate Change Adaptation LIFE Integrated Project: Integrated project contributing to the implementation of a transnational, national, regional or local specific adaptation strategy or action plan

Climate Change Mitigation LIFE Integrated Project: Integrated project contributing to the implementation of a transnational, national, regional or industry/sector specific greenhouse gas mitigation strategy, action plan or low carbon economy roadmap

Urban Climate Change Mitigation and/or Adaptation LIFE Integrated Project: Integrated project contributing to the implementation of an urban action plan pioneering the transition to a low carbon and/or climate resilient society

The project aims at implementing the following action plan/strategy/ roadmap (full copy is to be provided

in attachment):

The long-term strategies of the Flemish and the Walloon Regional governments in Belgium to strongly and boldly increase the degree of deep renovation and the energy performance of the complete housing stock in both regions, as a leg up to a low-carbon society:

- The Flemish “Renovation pact”, adopted by the Flemish Government on 17 July 2015 - The Walloon ”Strategy for renovating buildings”, adopted by the Walloon government on 27

March 2014

The specific pilot and demonstration actions of the IP, undertaken in the cities participating in the partnership, will also directly contribute to the implementation of the respective urban action plans pioneering the transition to a low carbon society. The respective climate urban action plans can be found through the followings links:

- Ghent - Antwerp - Mechelen - Mouscron - La Louvière

LIFE Integrated Projects 2016- CNb

BENEFICIARIES

Name of the coordinating beneficiary (1): Vlaams Energieagentschap (VEA) / departement Leefmilieu, Natuur en Energie van de Vlaamse Overheid / (competent authority for energy efficiency in Flanders) - VEA

Name of the associated beneficiary (2): Service Public de Wallonie (SPW) /Direction du Bâtiment durable/Département de l'Energie et du Bâtiment durable - DG04

Name of the associated beneficiary (3): Afdeling Lucht, Hinder, Risicobeheer, Milieu & Gezondheid departement Leefmilieu, natuur en energie van de Vlaamse Overheid / (competent authority for Climate Policy in Flanders) - dLNE

Name of the associated beneficiary (4): city of Ghent

Name of the associated beneficiary (5): city of Antwerp

Name of the associated beneficiary (6): city of Mechelen

Name of the associated beneficiary (7): city of Mouscron

Name of the associated beneficiary (8): city of La Louvière

Name of the associated beneficiary (10): Belgian Building Research Institute BBRI-WTCB-CSTC (Wetenschappelijk en Technisch Centrum voor het Bouwbedrijf - Centre Scientifique et Technique de la Construction) - BBRI

Name of the associated beneficiary (11): Kenniscentrum Vlaamse Steden (knowledge centre Flemish cities) - KVS

PROJECT BUDGET AND REQUESTED EU FUNDING

Total integrated project budget: 15.980.560 € Total eligible project budget: 15.980.560 € EU LIFE financial contribution requested: 9.588.336 € ( = 60 % of total eligible budget)

LIFE Integrated Projects 2016- CNc

Coordinating Beneficiary Profile Information

Short Name VEA Beneficiary n° 1

Legal information on the Coordinating Beneficiary

Legal Name Vlaams Energieagentschap - VEA Legal Status

VAT No BE 0316 380 841 Public body

Private commercial

Private non- commercial

X

Legal Registration No 0316 380 841

Registration Date 23/12/2005

Legal address of the Coordinating Beneficiary

Street Name and No Koning Albert II-laan 20 PO Box 17

Post Code 1000 Town/City BRUSSEL

Country Code B Country Name Belgium

Coordinating Beneficiary contact person information

Function Policy officer

Surname Vermeiren First Name Roel

E-mail address roel.vermeiren@vea.be

Department / Service Energy Efficiency and social energy policy

Street Name and No Koning Albert II-laan 20 PO Box 17

Post Code 1000 Town/City BRUSSEL

Country Belgium

Telephone No 02 553 46 25 Fax No 02 553 46 01

Coordinating Beneficiary details

Website www.energiesparen.be

Brief description of the Coordinating Beneficiary's activities and experience in the area of the proposal

The Flemish Energy Agency (VEA), founded by the Flemish Government, operates since 2006 as an internal autonomous agency within the Flemish Ministry of Environment, Nature and Energy.

The mission of VEA is to implement a sustainable energy policy. VEA focuses on policy preparation and implementation, the increase of support, regulatory and enforcement activities and policy review. The main tasks of VEA include:

- promoting the rational use of energy including management of the available resources and funds, the promotion of environmentally friendly energy production;

- the raising of awareness and communication actions on environmental friendly energy production and rational use of energy,

- to implement the regulations related to the management and development of distribution networks of electricity, gas and heat,

- contributing to the implementation of the Flemish climate policy plan; - all other policy executive tasks concerning energy policy that are assigned to VEA by law.

In the vision of VEA the most environmentally friendly, the most inexpensive and as a result the most social energy is that which is not wasted. In order to obtain its goals and create a broad social support, VEA works together with the energy suppliers and grid operators, the building and technology sector, other regional and local authorities and many partners representing the civil society.

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LIFE Integrated Projects 2016 - CNe

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

1. Overall context/background/geographical scope IP itself The IP will deliver in 7 years (Jan 2018- Dec 2024) the essential components for an operational framework for the long-term housing renovation strategy of Flanders (“Renovatiepact”) and Wallonia (“Stratégie de Rénovation des Bâtiments”). As energy efficiency is a regional competence in Belgium, both regions developed a strategic renovation plan with ambitious 2050 roadmaps leading towards an average decrease of energy consumption of 75 % and a strong increase in renewable energy production in residential buildings. The renovation strategies cover the complete Flemish and Walloon housing stock, representing over 4.1 million dwellings. These targeted dwellings are responsible for 16 Million tonnes CO2 emissions in 2014, or 14% of the total GHG-emissions for Belgium (or 22% of total non-ETS emissions Belgium). The energy use of Belgian houses is 70% higher than the European average, showing the enormous potential for energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction. The BE REEL! project will be based on an interregional collaboration of Flemish and Walloon authorities, strengthened by the participation of cities (three Flemish and two Walloon cities), the Belgian Building Research Institute (BBRI) and the Knowledge Centre Flemish Cities (KVS). The BE REEL! project will be supported by extensive collaboration with a broad range of civil society stakeholders, ensuring optimal preparation, implementation and long-term (after-LIFE) sustainability of the IP. The Brussels Capital Region of Belgium does not have an adopted renovation strategy yet, but will participate in the interregional capacity building network, so the results of the IP can have nation-wide effect. This cross-regional setting makes the project quite unique and offers great opportunities to exchange experiences and processes, mutual learning, harmonisation, and creating synergies leading to more effective and efficient implementation. The BE REEL! Project is designed to lead the whole Belgian housing sector into a low carbon future, creating in the same time opportunities for transnational cooperation and dissemination. New in this innovative approach is not only the interregional cooperation and synergy, but even more the far-reaching collective nature, scope and ambition. New collective renovation and deep step-by-step retrofit policies including advisory tools and financing schemes applying to various types of dwellings will replace the historic approach of case-by-case stimuli for individual renovation measures. This way the project will act as catalyst of both social and economic climate-friendly development. Increasing the degree of renovation in the Belgian housing stock and moving towards deeper energy-efficient renovations is crucial in the framework of the energy efficiency directive. At the same time it is essential to reach Belgium’s climate and energy targets in the “EU 2030 climate and energy framework”, in particular the greenhouse gas reduction target for non-ETS sectors and the renewable energy target, and to set Belgium on the way to a low carbon housing market. The IP will contribute to the implementation of the existing regional climate plans (up to 2020), the energy-climate plans 2021-2030 to be adopted and to any long term climate plans the regions will adopt in the future. The pilot and demonstration actions undertaken in the participating cities, will directly contribute to the implementation of the urban action plans pioneering the transition to a low carbon society (“Covenant of Mayors”). In the longer term, evidently the whole renovation strategy will very much influence the low-emission strategy of any city and community in Flanders and Wallonia. The BE REEL! project will lead to improved governance, through capacity building- and information actions, enhanced cooperation between Regions, cities and stakeholders, the development of new energy and housing policy instruments (e.g. housing passport, dossier global,…) and the creation of opportunities to accelerate synergies with other policies (employment, education, housing and taxation). While both the Walloon and the Flemish Region have already made substantial efforts in their respective renovation strategies, stakeholder involvement and -engagement, and in designing policy instruments, at this stage and time several of the central tools in the regional strategies are in full development. The period between the project’s first application (2015 LIFE call) and the start of the actual IP has been and will be intensely used to further shape the strategies and their respective central tools, measures and actions.

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Flanders The housing stock of over 2,6 million dwellings is old, with poor average energy performance and a renovation rate under 1 % per year. A recent study

1 showed that 37% or over 1 million of the houses is

of a quality below the standards for comfort, health and safety in housing legislation. The nearly 800.000 Energy Performance Certificates for existing residential buildings show a dramatically low energy performance of houses built before 1970 (57%). The greenhouse gas emissions of residential buildings in the Flemish Region amounted to 9.671.000 ton CO2-eq in 2014. This represents 13% of the total GHG emissions or 22% of the total non-ETS emissions of the Flemish Region in 2014. Given these data, it is clear that the potential for energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction in residential buildings is enormous. The sector of building, energy and environmental services, good for 25% of the GNP and 13% of employment, is a crucial partner for exploiting this potential and to gradually raise the level of renovation from the actual 1% per year to 2,5 – 3 % from 2020 onwards. The Energy Renovation Program 2020 (stimulating since 2009 roof insulation, double glazing and efficient heating for all houses by 2020) put things into motion. At the end of 2014 over 30 stakeholders together with public authorities reached consensus and delivered recommendations for a more ambitious deep renovation strategy “Renovation Pact”. The Flemish Government adopted this Renovation Pact in July 2015 and commissioned the Ministers of Energy, Environment and Housing to work out a long-term coherent action plan. The overall strategy of the “Renovation Pact” is to put forward and implement a feasible, acceptable and ambitious long-term energy performance requirement all residential buildings have to meet at the latest in 2050 and to provide adequate supportive and normative instruments, marketing and action plans. Reaching this energy performance requirement would mean an average decrease of the Energy Performance indicator between 65 and 85%. A concept of a housing passport is under development and will serve to monitor and register the evolution of every single home towards the long-term objective. As a unique electronic record, it will contain at least information about the energy performance (evolution), a renovation advice and data on housing quality and energy-saving investments. In a next phase other content can be added (certificates of installations, audits, permissions and plans,…). As of 2015 a broad and continuous participatory approach helped shaping the operational plan for the Renovation Pact. This resulted already in: - The definition of a long term 2050 target for energy performance of houses ((Renovation Pact, page

8)); - The approval by the Flemish Government on March 4, 2016 of a comprehensive action program

fighting energy poverty based on an inclusive approach of vulnerable families in the renovation strategies ((Renovation Pact, page 14));

- The start of the technological development of the housing passport of which prototypes will be tested in the fall of 2016;

- The start of a service design trajectory 2016-2017 for the full availability renovation advice tool (Renovation Pact, page 10);

- The approval by the Flemish Government of a revised grant scheme focusing as of 2017 more on deep energetic retrofit and neighbourhood renovation complemented by specific measures for vulnerable groups.

Last June the second phase of this participaratory approach was completed and progress will be reported to the Flemish government in the early automn of 2016, immediately followed by a next phase of mainly further development of products and tools and integration of policies (energy, housing, environmental planning, taxation,..). Wallonia The existing residential housing stock in Wallonia consists of 1,5 million dwellings. It is generally old and inefficient in terms of energy use. In July 2016 the 370.000 energy certificates issued for existing buildings showed 73% of the buildings were built before 1970 and 66% concerned individual dwellings of which 74% have inadequate energy performance (17% Label E, 17% label F and 40% label G). As for apartments, 40% display inadequate energy performance. This analysis shows the poor level of performance of dwellings in the Walloon housing stock. The greenhouse gas emissions of residential buildings in the Walloon Region amounted to 4.773.000 ton ton CO2-eq in 2014. This represents 13% of the total GHG emissions or 20,6% of the total non-ETS emissions of the Walloon Region in 2014. 2014. This represents a decrease of 32% compared to 1990. The rate of renovation of Walloon houses is estimated to be 1% per year, based on issued planning permissions. Based on these observations, medium- and long-term objectives have been defined to

1 Grote Woononderzoek 2013

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speed up the renovation rate of the Walloon housing stock and to ensure that renovations are focusing on maximising energy performance. The first version of this strategy in response to article 4 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) has been approved by the government on 27 March 2014. Three structural objectives were defined: - 2020: increase the pace of renovation to reach 3% per year; development and implementation of

tools, dissemination of information to professionals and individuals. - 2030: acceleration of the process started in 2020. A overall record will be attached to each building

containing information on different aspects, including energy performance and a renovation road map geared towards achieving Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB). This tool will allow monitoring and tracking the progress of each building towards the long-term objective.

- 2050: buildings will no longer consume but instead generate energy. 90% of the housing stock will be renovated on a 2010 basis.

The development of the planned instruments is in preparation and plans for a broad stakeholder engagement approach to work out and facilitate the long-term strategy have started up. A consultation phase of stakeholders is planned starting in November 2016 to refine the objectives and to engage stakeholders in the concrete actions for the implementation of the renovation strategy. This participatory approach aims: - to engage each party to target the long-term goals; - to define / adjust the acceptable performance levels for renovation; - to assess the existing instruments and their relevance to achieving the long term goals; - to present the new tools that the Region is developping (quickscan, audit, overall record); - to establish financial support and instruments related to energy renovation of housing; - to develop a marketing strategy; - to establish a benchmarck of the best practices in renovation and study their wider applicability. This work will expand the existing adopted version of the Walloon renovation strategy leading to the approval by the Government of the reviewed and enriched strategy in January 2017. Present gaps and shortcomings for an effective implementation of both Regional strategic plans are: - Need for further specification of the definition of the long-term requirement for the energy

performance of existing residential buildings; - Need for a detailed roadmap setting out goals and consensus thereon; - Interference of different policies, more integration is needed (environmental planning and land use, ,

housing, environment,….); - Lack of global and long term structural measures for the energy performance of existing houses

(except for those who already have a certificate (houses put on the sales/rental market since 2009); - Need for a long-term broad and solid partnership with a variety of relevant stakeholders, who

enhance cooperation and knowledge based on shared responsibility; - Need for individual professional renovation advice for citizens (technical and organizational); - Need for capacity building (architects, building contractors, energy advise, …); - Need for new business models and financing models adapted to the objectives of the strategies; - Need for demonstration projects and best practices. The IP is mainly aimed towards actions on the points mentioned in order to overcome the gaps and to facilitate the multi-actor process that paves the road leading us towards a future with continuous very low residential energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. Complementary actions The most important complementary actions foreseen in the project are directly and solely designed to implement the two regional strategic action-plans for renovation. These actions concern mostly either preparatory policy measures (detailed design of instruments, capacity building, integration with other policy areas, reformation granting system, adopting legal obligations) or upscaling measures. Furthermore, there are: - broader complementary actions, in the frameworks of other action plans such as local energy

efficiency plans of cities, energy poverty plan, asbestos removal, use of sustainable materials, … - various complementary actions in the form of pilot and demonstration projects and initiatives

undertaken by local authorities, with and without EU funding. - implementation on a larger scale of the IP actions The complementary actions are listed under point 3. Actions and means involved.

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2. Project objectives: IP itself The overall objective is the full implementation of the strategic housing renovation plans of the regions of Flanders and Wallonia and to reach the targets defined in these strategic plans, i.e.: a long lasting, strong increase in the renovation rate for both regions and a radical improvement of the energy performance: - Flemish “Renovation Pact”: improvement of the energy performance with an average of 75% of all

existing residential buildings between today and 2050. - Walloon ”Strategy for renovating buildings”: by 2050 buildings will no longer consume but instead

generate energy and 90% of the housing stock will be renovated (on a 2010 basis). In close cooperation with local authorities, cities and other stakeholders, BE REEL! will deliver: - a strong cluster of policy measures which have proven their feasibility, effectiveness and efficiency; - a committed governance and stakeholder-framework capable of implementing the measures in the

whole society; - and a fully operational supporting structure (capacity, education, technical instruments, databases,

guidance and support to facilitate the implementation). More specifically, the IP has the following objectives: 1. Establish the foundations for the implementation of the territorial scale regional strategies, giving a

boost to the concrete implementation of the renovation strategies 2. Develop, test, evaluate, refine and demonstrate the most appropriate structural measures to realize

a long lasting strong increase in the renovation rate and a radical improvement of the energy performance of all existing residential buildings by 2050. These measures will involve technical instruments, financing instruments, advisory tools and practical support measures that are to be replicated, transferred and/or mainstreamed. Designing and implementing innovative concepts/instruments (such as housing passport, renovation advice, new financing mechanisms,..) will be part of this objective, as well as pilot retrofitting, the application of best practices and the development of new business models for deep renovation.

3. Capacity building and improving knowledge base, inside the Flemish and Walloon administrations and for all stakeholders, administrations and local governments involved, and capacity building in the building and housing design sector, education, renovation advice

4. Enhanced cooperation with stakeholders, administrations, local authorities through roadmap exercises, networking, best practices learning and factual collaboration through pilots and implementation actions

5. Creating fruitful synergies between Flemish and Walloon Region, but also with the Brussels Capital Region in the framework of a ‘learning network’ with the aim of capacity building, avoiding double efforts and creating a more coherent policy throughout the different Belgian Regions and abroad ;

6. Development and implementation of a communication and marketing strategy to create support and action

7. Setting up a Project management framework for the partnership: program management, monitoring and evaluation of tools (pilot phase testing, follow-up monitoring)

Achieving these objectives, by means of the actions of the IP (described under point 3), will remove the identified constraints and gaps under point 1. Complementary actions The objectives of the complementary actions are, in parallel with the IP actions, very diversified. The main objectives are: - detailed design and preparation of the new policy instruments; - bringing stakeholders (banks, construction sector federations, energy auditors, certifiers, etc.) in the

strategy together to set out the road map, approve the tool concepts to be implemented and define the mechanisms to be put in place in order to activate these tools;

- large scale implementation of the newly design policy instruments, after testing and optimisation, with a view to increasing the annual rate and quality of building renovations.

- accelerate necessary synergies with other policies such as employment, education, housing, taxation, environment, land use and the fight against poverty;

- reform the granting system for energy efficiency renovations to maximize its potential with regard to achieving the long term objectives of the renovation strategies;

- reform the taxation system in cooperation with fiscal authorities and banking sector); - adopt new legal obligations in respect of energy performance of residential buildings; - to have a robust monitoring and evaluation methodology for the progress and result of IP actions

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- to have robust follow-up indicator(s) for the progress in reaching the general objectives of the renovation strategies;

- capacity building: building sector, architects, education, software.

3. Actions and means involved: The renovation strategies of the Flemish and Walloon Region consist of some very similar strategic actions to achieve the transition to a low carbon housing market, such as the development and implementation of a general electronic record, bringing together information on the different aspects for each building (“overall record” in the Walloon Region and ‘”housing passport” in the Flemish Region). The strategic actions, serving the same long term objective, are very similar, and, at the same time, offer interesting deviations. This particular setting offers great opportunities to harmonise, to learn from each other and to find ways to manage the available means and funds in a more efficient manner, as duplication of efforts could be avoided. These unique starting conditions and the opportunities they bring along, will be kept in mind by the regional partnership of Flanders and Wallonia during the whole project period and will be reflected throughout the actions of the IP. The project also has the privilege that it combines the forces of both the regional and local policy makers. The inclusion of both large and smaller cities in the partnership will prove to be extremely valuable in the testing and implementation phase of the newly designed policy instruments. On a technical level, the participation of the Belgian Building Research Institute BBRI is of undeniable and crucial value, as is the close collaboration with the Kenniscentrum Vlaamse Steden (knowledge centre Flemish cities) as far as the sharing of knowledge is concerned. In addition to the formal project partnership, both regions will continue throughout the project term to involve all appropriate stakeholders in the project implementation (for more details see point 6) e.g. building sector, social midfield, environmental protection, poverty, education,… Both the Walloon and Flemish Region are fully committed to a transition of the housing market into a solid component of a Belgian low carbon economy, and have put forward a number of innovative policy instruments to achieve this objective. These new policy instruments (e.g. ambitious energy performance goals, collective and/or step-by-step renovation, alternative financing,…) will be tested through pilot actions in close cooperation with local authorities, in order to optimize the instruments and implement them on a large territorial scale. Next to the newly developed policy instruments, a broad implementation of best practices will be necessary to achieve the long term goal. Cities will take up an important role in this process by means of demonstration projects, showing the potential and helping the Regions determine the most appropriate best practices for broad deployment in society. The IP includes an extensive set of actions which complement and enforce each other. This results in a number of action-clusters: Note: The newly developed strategic policy measures, such as overall record, housing passport, renovation advice, new business cases for renovation planners, will each be unfolded in different stages: 1st stage: detailed design and preparation (under cluster ‘preparatory actions IP/complementary’) 2de stage: testing (pilot-projects under cluster ‘concrete implementation actions IP’) 3rd stage: evaluation, optimization, modification for broad deployment in society (under cluster ‘monitoring actions IP’) 4th stage: large scale implementation (under cluster ‘complementary implementation actions’ or under cluster ‘implementation action IP - capacity building)

1. Preparatory actions– A actions (Estimated 7% of the total budget) Common - establish a ‘learning network for interregional exchange’, in which the three Regions of Belgium

(also Brussels Capital Region) will participate - identify opportunities for collaboration between the Regions e.g. studies, projects, monitoring

methodologies that can be started together in order to avoid duplication of efforts - identify opportunities for further harmonisation of actions/measures which are already similar (e.g.

housing passport in Flanders and overall record in Wallonia). - Develop an approach to transfer best practices from both Regions and from the cities/communities

to other Belgian regions - Set up exchange structures with (projects of) other EU member states to create useful synergies

and take up good practices and innovative solutions.

Flanders - Testing and refining of the developed renovation advice tool, describing the steps necessary for

meeting the long term requirement on energy performance, as a crucial component of the housing passport. Including the wide availabilty of certified renovation advisors (phase 1) (Renovation Pact, page 10).

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- Step-by step testing of basic and additional functions of the concept of the electronic record for all houses ”housing passport” linked to the existing building registry and in accordance with similar ongoing projects on data collection and monitoring in the program “Vlaanderen Radicaal Digitaal” including the involvement of future user groups and pilots (Renovation Pact, page 9)

Wallonia - Technical planification of the tool “Overall Record” (“Dossier Global”): an general electronic record

(bringing together information on the different aspects for each building: (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 33) Phase 1: data collection in order to define the energy theme of the general record: energy identity card bringing together data from the certificate, any audit carried out, a NZEB renovation road map as well as information updated in accordance with renovation work carried out (EPB certificate).

- Technical planification of the quickscan tool that enables occupying owners or potential purchasers who do not have an energy certificate or an EAP Audit (Energy Advice Procedure) to quickly and comprehensively learn about the most beneficial energy-related renovation work for a given building. (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 23) Phase 1: technical planning and data collection in order to implement the tool during the IP

- Review of the EAP audit process and transform it into a complete decision-making and support tool. Objective: present an energy renovation scenario aimed at achieving NZEB; establish a road map setting out the order of priority for actions; provide technical guidance for the resulting works; provide support to property owners in following the road map; certify that the expected improvement in performance has been achieved. (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 32) Phase 1: review and adaptation of the concept in order to implement it during the IP.

Complementary preparatory actions - Operationalization of long term objective for energy performance (Renovation Pact, page 8) - Integration of policies (planning, environment, taxation, housing,…) in order to overcome existing

barriers for deep renovation of existing houses (Renovation Pact, page 14) - Starting up a think tank on taxation with regions and federal level (Renovation Pact, page 12) - Introduction of specific stronger obligations for houses in very bad shape and obligations linked to

transaction moments (sale, rent) in Flemish legislation (Renovation Pact, page 14) - Determination and implementation of a follow-up indicator measuring the renovation rate and

improvement of energy performance (also see D and F-actions) (Renovation Pact, page 8) - Adaptation/reform of the support mechanisms and grants for energy savings investments in the

Walloon and Flemish Regions - Explore and evaluate possibilities for the development of new business cases for deep renovations

(Renovation Pact, page 13) - Several Horizon 2020 projects (FALCO, STEP-BY-STEP) (see financial plan);

- Continuous stakeholder involvement in both Regions (Building renovation strategy, page 13;

Renovation Pact page 4)

2. Concrete implementation actions – C actions (Estimated % of the total budget: 69%) This cluster of measures consists of demonstration projects and best practices as well as pilot projects. Local authorities (cities) will have an important role. Demonstration and best practices A necessary first step to get the renovation strategies on track, is to provide a number of projects demonstrating the feasibility of deep energy-efficient renovation for different types and states of residential buildings. After evaluation of the effectiveness, the selection and dissemination of best practices will stimulate owners, designers and builders to renovate in a cost-effective way. A central overview and monitoring of the regional actions will lead to knowledge exchange and mutual learning. To realize the objectives of the renovation strategies it is crucial to gain practical experience with: - the technical and budgetary feasibility of meeting the long term energy performance objective; - the feasibility of new business models for housing renovation (e.g. apartment blocks,

neighbourhood renovation, prefab renovation solutions of walls and roof, collective heating,…) - collective cost-efficient renovation; - innovative forms of financing like energy performance contracting, crowdfunding, the use of

revolving funds for loans,… In order to do so, a number of demonstration projects will be set up by - or in close cooperation with- the local partners, for example:

- multiple demonstration projects for collective renovation resulting in best practices and a transferable script

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� Antwerp: renovation of 500 houses towards low energy buildings 60 kWh/m2

� Antwerp: renovation of 250 houses towards nearly zero energy buildings 30 kWh/m²; � Mechelen: renovation of 75 houses nearly zero energy buildings 30 kWh/m2 � Mechelen: renovation of 50 houses low energy buildings 50 kWh/m

2;

- demonstration project for deep renovation of large apartment blocks in Antwerp (3350 dwellings collectively retrofitted)

- demonstration project for deep renovation of smaller apartment blocks in Ghent leading to guidances for syndics and co-owner associations;

- demonstration project on collective solar panels in neighbourhoods Ghent: 750kW (5000 m2, 3030 panels) installed, leading to the development of a replicable business model;

- demonstration project on collective solar panels in neighbourhoods Mechelen in cooperation with social housing companies, leading to a road map for cooperatives and a replicable business model;

- sustainable renovation of protected heritage houses with application of residual heath for district heating in Ghent; leading to 155 heritage houses with a low carbon footprint and gained knowledge to be transferred for further uptake;

- shallow geothermal projects Ghent (communication campaign and competition leading directly to 5 low energy houses and to broad awareness);

- neighbourhood renovation projects in Ghent (advice, prefunding, group purchases, vulnerable population groups,...) leading to 800 households who received a renovation advice and 480 tot 640 houses which will have had an energy efficient renovation through this action;

- Budget neutral retrofitting for vulnerable families (innovation of the Flemish energy loan); - In Flanders as of 2017 the grid operators will start a recently approved public service obligation

scheme to finance various methods intermediate organisations can experiment with coordinating local collective renovation projects of a minimum of 10 houses. Based on periodical calls this innovative scheme aims at 25.000 renovations each year.

- Also in the Walloon Region projects associated with the energy renovation of residential buildings, arising from the Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) of cities that are signatories to the Covenant of Mayors, will be set op. Amongst others:

� Rénovation – “Quality of Life through the insulation and energy saving” in Mouscron : test of the Quickscan, audit and overall record (30 houses). On-site renovation guidance for 10 dwellings and awareness sessions renovations.

� Implementation of third-party investment to finance energy renovation of buildings in La Louvière; � Demonstration and best practices in various cities focusing on the use of the tools for diagnosis,

advice and support developped by the Walloon Region: 1000 Quickscans, 300 audits and 100 renovation guidance of 100 dwellings (Building renovation strategy, page 23). The list of participating cities will be provided in the full proposal.

In addition to the above mentioned actions demonstrating good and best practices, the exchange and knowledge platform to initiate best practices and innovations, as described under the topic ‘capacity building’ beneath, will actively gather in Belgium and abroad, promote, follow up and stimulate results related to the use or implementation of best practices with specific value for Belgium, named the ‘Very innovative Promising Solutions’ (VIPS). This platform will accelerate the uptake of advanced retrofitting practices and state-of-the art renovation techniques and methods throughout the chain of retrofitting actors, including professional builders and administrations. Pilot projects The pilot projects will be aimed at testing the main newly developed policy measures by the Regions, before large-scale implementation: - Flemish Region: In partnership with the cities of Ghent, Mechelen and Antwerp, business cases for

renovation planners - “one stop shops” offering renovation advice and guidance - will be tested in phase 2 of the implementation plan for the “renovation advice” (after phase 1: see preparatory measures) (Renovation Pact, page 12)

- Flemish Region: Testing in different segments of the housing market/partner cities of the - in phase 1 developed - concept for a housing passport including a step-by-step renovation advice. Evaluation and improvement (Renovation Pact, page 9)

- Pilots for innovative business models followed by upscaling and leading to the first measurable results in terms of stimulating renovation and drastic improvement of the energy performance.

Complementary implementation actions - Large scale implementation of IP-developed instruments and tested through various pilot projects

(Overall Record, Housing Passport, Renovation Advice,…) in the whole territory of the Flemish and Walloon Region. Some measures will be gradually upscaled;

- Financial support of deep renovations with grants and loans on regional and local level – Reformation of the granting system in the framework of the new renovation strategies;

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- Flemish Energy loans in the framework of the Renovation pact; - Fighting energy poverty with a set of measures improving quality and energy performance of social

and private housing inhabited by vulnerable families; - Various (pilot) projects initiated by the cities of Ghent, Antwerpen, Mechelen: see financial plan –

complementary funding (EU and public funds); - Upscaling actions (IP and complemenatary) of the cities of Ghent, Antwerpen and Mechelen; - Both the Walloon as the Flemish Region share the opinion that loans (or other types of financial

interventions) might be a better tool for increasing energy efficiency in the long run than grants. Since a system based on grants is too dependent on budget constraints, there’s an obvious need for alternative/innovative financing. Both regions already have strong measures with proven success, ready for scaling up. In the Wallon Region, the Ecopack system offers loans for up tot 30.000 euro. In the Region of Flanders, the Energy Loan offers vulnerable groups specific guidance and 0% loans. VEA has had several meetings with the Belfius Bank (PF4EE partner) exploring possible methods and conditions for the offering of energy loans to private house owners. At the same time, VEA is negotiating with Participatie Maatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV), a public-private investment vehicle, which is also the regional contact point for the “European Fund for Strategic Investments” (EFSI). This very promising collaboration aims at making available a very substantial revolving fund for energy efficiency loans, making it possible to create variations both in the repayment term as well as in the amounts loaned. In the Region of Flanders, the political level recently took a big interest in the issue of energy loans.

Capacity building Low energy renovation is technically feasible, but only under the condition that all actors involved, have or will obtain the necessary expertise. In addition to the regional capacity building initiatives, the central project coordination will stimulate close collaboration and active learning of all the stakeholders. In the field of financing, business models, public sector and multi-actor partnerships, capacity building and innovation will be encouraged and supported. The learning network to exchange experiences between the Regions will be highly important in this process. Knowledge gained through synergies with projects in other EU member states will also feed capacity building. Involvement of key stakeholders, such as the Knowledge Center of Flemish Cities, will be essential when mainstreaming the results of the pilot- and demonstration actions towards other cities and municipalities and will facilitate local capacity building. Specific capacity building actions are: - Setting up of a knowledge platform under the coordination of the Belgian Building Research

Institute (BBRI) in order to enlarge the existing inventory of best practises, to function as an innovation incubator and to spread out expertise and competences within the partnership, the entire building sector (Renovation Pact, page 11). The exchange and knowledge platform will inventory best practices from Belgium and abroad, evidently also taking into account the best practices and EU-projects from other member states based on the synergies that have been created by the preparatory actions. Specific attention will be given to innovative solutions that are considered as very promising or impacting for the Belgian building stock, practice or policy.

- Further development and implementation of various innovative business cases for renovation planning and realisation of deep renovation (best practices) in cooperation with cities (guidance, taxation, energy performance contracting, collective renovation,..).

- Achieving general availability in the Flemish region of a qualitative step-by-step renovation advice: training program for renovation advisors in the Flemish Region, leading to at least 500 trained professionals (Renovation Pact, page 10)

- Implementation of Quickscan tools, EAP audit and “Overall Record” allowing an optimal approach of all aspects of a renovation project, a technical assistance and a personal monitoring (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 24)

- Training professionals in the new role of EAP auditor for the implementation renovation advice in the Walloon Region (phase 3) (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 24)

- Local initiatives such as the activation/information project to set up neighbourhood renovation projects throughout the city, based on the result of demonstration projects.

- Guaranteeing adequate personnel capacity in all the partner organizations. Complementary capacity building actions - Capacity building on the subject of low energy renovation for advisors, architects, building

contractors in cooperation with the sector organisations and education; - Participation in the BUILD UPON Web Platform for National Renovation Strategies Launched in

Spring 2015 (Horizon 2020);

- Extending existing software used for Flemish energy loans to offer guarantees to citizens for budget neutral renovations.

3. Monitoring of the impact of project actions. – D Actions (Estimated % of the total budget: 2%)

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In our IP we will test various business models (technical, support measures, guidance, tools, financing) in different contexts. For the successful implementation of big scale renovation strategies, it is crucial to learn on a rather short term which are the things that really work and actually persuade more people into low energy renovations. In seven years’ time we aim to realize a set of measures and tools that offer a powerful support in various contexts and for multiple target groups. Specific monitoring actions are: - Monitoring the impact of project actions contributions to the implementation of the targeted regional

renovation strategies and to the climate and energy problems addressed - Monitoring of the projects’ socio-economic impact - Monitoring of LIFE project specific indicators call 2016 based on the table therefore provided Given the fact that in our IP two different renovation strategies will be implemented, specific opportunities for mutual learning will be used as much as possible.

4. Communication and dissemination/public awareness - E actions (Estimated % of total budget: 11%) Since the regional renovation strategies cover almost all existing residential buildings (over 4.1 million dwellings), intense communication and public awareness raising will be essential. Over the next decades the long term objectives will at a certain moment imply every household. In order to realize a sense of urgency as well as active involvement, the realisation of the strategic goals will largely benefit from broadcast and segmented communication to trigger the private investments households are facing when renovating their houses. As a result, the estimated budget reflects the relative high importance and contribution of these actions. The E-actions foreseen in the BE REEL! Project are: � BE REEL! Umbrella communication and public awareness plan and activities - Communication steering group and learning network - LIFE BE REEL! Kick-off and closing event - Guidelines and best practices based on results of pilots and demonstration actions - Technical publications - Promote LIFE BE REEL! Results on local, regional, national and EU level - Press/visitor day on different sites of the BE REEL! IP - After LIFE communication plan � Development of a broad communication and marketing strategy for the regions to lead the whole territory and all layers of society towards low carbon living � Networking and information exchange with other projects: - Establish two correspondence groups (one intra-Belgium, one involving other EU member states) - Organize two network events – workshops for related projects with Belgian partners - Organize one network event – workshop for related EU projects - Participation in relevant exchange workshops and meetings at regional, national and EU level � Communication on websites (LIFE BE REEL! Website in three languages + websites of IP partners) and notice boards (on sites demonstration actions) and through newsletters � Based on the evaluation of the pilots and demonstration projects of the IP best practices will be identified for business cases for renovation planners and for innovative business models. In the second phase 35 information workshops will be held, project guidelines and functional manuals will be spread. �Long term and large scale involvement of all Walloon cities in the communication and support of citizens regarding developed tools �Walloon Regional communication plan for promoting the tools developed and the related support mechanisms � Workshops and information sessions for cities and local authorities: together with the Association of Flemish Cities and Towns (VVSG) and the Union of Cities and Municipalities of Wallonia (UVCW) � Specific communication actions by local authorities, e.g. combination communication campaign; information on neighbourhood average energy use of energy bills in Mechelen,… � Publication of a Laymen’s report at the end of the project. Complementary communication actions - Local initiatives such as Ecohouse and city neighbourhood renovation information centres in

Antwerp (see financial plan – other funds - public)

5. Project Management and monitoring of project progress (F-actions) Estimated % of total budget: 11%

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We will establish an interregional Project Team (BE REEL! Project Team) responsible for the decision making and general interregional project management (administrative, technical and financial aspects) and for meeting the LIFE reporting obligations consisting of: - BE REEL! Project Management Team - BE REEL! Steering Committee (representing all IP-partners) - Regional Walloon Project Management - Regional Flanders Project Management This project management structure will enhance cooperation and exchange of knowledge between Flanders, Wallonia, the participating cities and the other project partners. The BE REEL! Management team is responsible for the functioning of the ‘learning network for interregional exchange’, established under the preparatory actions, including the cross-regional uptake of best practices. The management team will also be responsible for transnational learning and cooperation, including the synergies with other EU projects and transnational uptake of best practices. Both Regions will set up a Regional Project Management responsible for the overall coordination of the regional IP’s activities and decision making. The projects’ actions and expenditures will be submitted to a management and financial audit outsourced to an external audit office. To ensure and facilitate the broad implementation of the long-term regional strategies, a BE REEL! After-Life Plan with a replicability strategy will be developed during the last year of the IP and will be presented as a separated annex of the final report. Complementary actions - Define monitoring and evaluation methodology for progress and result of actions - Development of a follow-up indicator for the renovation rate and improvement of energy

performance of the housing stock.

4. Expected results (main outputs and achievements, qualitative and quantitative): The overall direct/immediate results and achievements of the actions in the IP: - Increased number of innovative technologies, systems and instruments and/or best practice

solution for reduction of GHG - A significant increase in the number of regions/cities/sectors applying integrated approachs with

support of the IP or replicating the results from the IP - The contribution to strengthening climate change mitigation management and governance,

including the level of involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities and stakeholders at local, regional and national level

Since the adopted renovation strategies are under full development, a considerable part of the result-oriented actions will be quantified at a later stage. The Flemish and Walloon regional authorities are fully committed to this detailed and in depth quantification. 1. Preparatory actions - In both regions the housing passport/overall record and step-by-step renovation advice tools are

developed, tested and available. - A profile of competences of energy advisors is available and used in training programs. - The roadmaps for the strategies will be set and concrete objectives will be known. - The technical planification of the tools (quickscan, audit, dossier global) and their interactions will

be refined, tools will be developed and available. - A learning network with participation of the three Belgian Regions is active. - Opportunities for interregional collaboration on studies, projects and monitoring are exploited. - In Wallonia the implementation process of new tools for decision support for renovation is up. - Opportunities for further harmonisation of similar regional actions and measures are used. 2. Concrete implementation actions Demonstration and best practices - Multiple demonstration projects for collective renovation, apartment block renovation, have led to

the upscaling of best practices (for details, see point 3 Concrete implementation actions).

Pilot projects

- Flemish Region: the housing passport including an step-by-step renovation advice is operational and ready for further gradual big scale application.

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- Walloon Region: the quickscan, energy audit and “overall record” tools are extensively tested in different private and social housing types and within distinct population categories, and the according deep renovations are carried out and evaluated.

- During the IP developed pilots for innovative business models for renovation projects (individual, collective, for target groups,…) are being used an ready for upscaling.

- In Wallonia 100 buildings renovated as part of the pilot actions will get a significant improvement in their performance (target NZEB)

- Cities will be on track to reach the targets set in their Sustainable Energy Action Plans 3. Capacity building Based on the intense interregional exchange and coordination during the IP, the beneficiaries and other stakeholders gained expertise on putting up long term strategic actions, on capacity building processes and tools. Because of the added value, further opportunities for cooperation and interchange are used. - A digital knowledge platform functions as an innovation incubator and spreads out future-proof

expertise and competences within the partnership, the entire building sector and to the general public. Links to other European initiatives are built in.

- An exchange framework in the building and educational sector develops recurrent educational programs and in-service training leading to enough capacity within the building sector.

- Various innovative business cases for renovation planning are developed in cooperation with cities and stakeholders (guidance, taxation, energy performance contracting, collective renovation, retrofitting houses of vulnerable families,…) and a dissemination plan is ongoing.

- Capacity building generated by LIFE IP actions will ensure the building sector a good knowledge of the tools, means of action an guidance for renovation, a better knowledge of the housing stock and therefore the renovation market. A consulting and market support in the area of energy renovation will emerge. New business will be created. The field of energy professionals (certifiers, auditors, energy advisors ...) will see their role strengthened.

- New tools (Quickscan tools, EAP audit and overall record) allowing an optimal approach of all aspects of a renovation project, a technical assistance and a personal monitoring are available and operational (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 24)

4. Project management and monitoring of progress of project and individual actions. - An interregional project management structure is in function and delivers adequate management,

overall governance and follow up of the implementation of the IP actions. - A regional Project management and decision making framework including administrations and

stakeholders is functional and has put the strategic plan on the tracks. - Tools for structural exchange and monitoring of the energy savings and linked decrease in emission

of greenhouse gasses are available. - Indicators measuring the intended growth of the renovation rate and the improvement of the energy

performance and measuring the socio-economic impact of the actions are implemented. - The monitoring activities will assess the impact of the tools and adapt them for wider use. 5. Communication and dissemination - public awareness - Internal communication structure and plan for the IP project results in substantially higher

awareness and improved understanding of the strategic plan, both for the general public as for the partners, stakeholders, administrations and authorities involved.

- A strong marketing strategy for the “Renovation Pact” on the short, middle and long term including dissemination to other member states is running. The strategy is linked with the long term strategy for climate neutrality in the Covenant of Mayors and will maximize the use of communication means of the partners.

- Communication products and tools (print, site, web-application,…) have been launched - The publication of pilot actions will constitute the entrance door for the marketing strategy that will

be developed around the tools. - The advantage of the new regional tools developed is demonstrated by the results obtained during

the pilot and demonstration projects. The results are communicated to professionals and the general public.

- The technical and financial feasibility will be demonstrated and will encourage the reproducibility of this type of project

Linked to expected complementary actions - Stakeholder involvement is strong and stable.

- Different policies (planning, environment, housing,..) are integrated to stimulate renovations.

- A follow-up indicator measuring the rate of renovation and improvement of energy performance is available and in use.

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- New business cases for deep renovation are explored and evaluated. - Support mechanisms and grants for energy savings investments are reformed. - Increase renovation rate of the housing stock to 3% per year. On a yearly basis on average

120.000 to 130.000 deep energy efficient renovations have to be carried out in the period 2017 – 2050. Translating the ambition of an average 75 % reduction in energy consumption on house level means that the total residential consumption should also drop by 75% by 2050 or 3.5% per year.

- The new tools are widely deployed throughout the regional territories.

5. Expected contribution to the implementation of the target plan/strategy The IP is essential for achieving the long-term targets embedded in the renovation strategies, adopted by the Flemish and Walloon regional governments. The actions of the IP will prepare, test and improve the policy measures foreseen in the regional strategies in order to be fully capable to implement the measures in the whole society. The IP will generate new ideas, generate strategic tools to support decision making, facilitate choices for best practices and new business cases for renovation; and improve governance through strategic capacity building actions that catalyse the process towards the

full implementation. The IP will strengthen partnerships and stakeholder engagement and will build the capacity of those stakeholders. The IP will result in: - a strong cluster of policy measures which have proven their feasibility, effectiveness and efficiency - a committed governance and stakeholder-framework capable of implementing the measures in the

whole society; - a fully operational supporting structure (capacity, education, technical instruments, databases,

guidance and support) to facilitate the implementation; - a monitoring methodology and indicators to assess progress towards the overall energy efficiency

objectives and CO2 reduction. The main value of the IP actions is that together they will make sure that the Flemish and Walloon Region are fully prepared and dispose of all necessary components to lay out a cluster of measures that will change the Belgian housing sector and its climate impact in a definite and sustainable way, in accordance with the objectives of the strategies. Although the IP will not achieve the full implementation of the regional renovation strategies, it will act as a strong catalyst in the process towards the full implementation. Taking into account the long term target period of the strategies (i.e. until 2050), and the fact that part of the large scale implementation of measures will start at the end or after the IP period, a lot of efforts - and certainly results in term of CO2-reductions- will still need to be realized after the IP project period. Nevertheless the IP will lay down (and finalise!) the solid foundations for the future policy implementation. The IP will, by the end of the IP project period (end of 2014), have moulded the Belgian climate policy for housing for several decades. The complementary actions of the project will by the end of the IP period certainly have resulted in: - a reformation of the regional granting systems for energy efficiency investments in houses; - an operational roadmap / target path to reach the long term objectives of the regional strategies; - fewer barriers for deep renovation by integration of different policy areas (planning, taxation,

housing, environment,…) - an operational monitoring methodology to follow up the rate of renovation and improvement of

energy efficiency in residential buildings; - decrease in energy poverty; - increased capacity (advisors, building contractors, architects, education,..) also leading tot

innovations in materials and techniques.

6. Main stakeholders involved in the project: While developing the regional strategies, both regions are already involving many relevant stakeholders. In the project we will make further use and will intensify this ongoing stakeholderengagement, both on the level of individual project activities as on the overall strategic and project management level (intra- and interregional and towards other member states). Flanders - Cities with energy efficiency plans for the housing sector: implementation of IP actions

- Social economy organisations active in the field of basic energy audits and roof insulation: reaching out to vulnerable groups and sustain their participation in the renovation strategy

- Energy grid operators (Infrax, Eandis): grants for energy efficiency measures / large scale communication / data delivery on residential energy use

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- Netwerk tegen armoede: fight against energy poverty / communication on specific instruments for energy efficiency for poor families

- Sustainable building (CEDUBO): use of sustainable materials in renovation - Platform for passive house building (Passiefhuisplatform): best practices / state of the art deep

renovation advice - Organization for sustainable energie (ODE): advice on sustainable energy solutions - Environmental Movement (Bond Beter Leefmilieu): ecological issues / Policy advice - Belgian financial sector federation (BVK – Febelfin): business model innovation / loans - Association of families (Gezinsbond): representing of interests of families - Association of Flemish cities and towns (VVSG): communication / dissemination of best practices - Federations of the building sector (VCB, Bouwunie): capacity building, innovation - Federations of architects (NAV, BVA): capacity building, innovation - Association of energy auditors (OVED): capacity building, advice - Federation of technological industry (Agoria): innovation in renovation solutions - Public authorities (consistency of policies): Wonen-Vlaanderen (policy on housing and grants for

renovation) and Ruimte Vlaanderen: policy on environmental planning - Local advisory services on housing/energy efficiency in cities and municipalities: renovation advice - 45 Social Renting offices (private housing that is rented out by the owner to 45 intermediary

organisations and sub-rented to vulnerable families): renovation of the housing stock of 8000 houses using IP-developed business models

- 5 provincial Advice Centers for sustainable housing: renovation advice / projects for collective and cost efficient renovation

Nearly all these stakeholders are since end 2014 formally involved in the design and consultation process of the renovation strategy and committed themselves to be active players who will continue to participate in the implementation of actions in their fields of competence.

Wallonia All the stakeholders are directly involved in the actions proposed for the Walloon Region. Furthermore, the stakeholder engagement process will take the form of a consultation period with all the stakeholders to engage them in the pursuit of long-term goals and the implementation of the renovation strategy. Active participation and commitment of each stakeholder is expected during this period. - Cities with a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP): coordination and support at local level within

the context of pilot actions. Test new tools by the way of the pilot and demonstration actions. - The Union of Cities and Municipalities of Wallonia: consistency of the project with regard to all local

policies; transmission and dissemination of actions. - Regional Department of Energy, Housing, Planning and the Environment: consistency of the project

with regard to all regional policies. Participation in the dissemination of new tools. - Federations representing the construction sector: contributing to the development of the road map,

validating the tool concepts to be put in place - Non-profit organizations actif in sustainable construction (Clusters, ELEA, GREENWAL):

contributing to the development of the road map, validating the tool concepts to be put in place - Corporate real estate and housing agencies: participation in discussions on the development of

tools and actions on the ground through the use of such tools, dissemination of the new tools. - Banks and financial institutions: development of financial support mechanisms

- Professionals in the energy sector (auditors, certifiers, EPB managers, energy consultants, authors of feasibility studies, architects, etc.): participation in discussions on the development of tools and actions on the ground through the use of such tools. Strengthening of professional capacity. Active relay persons to test, use and disseminate the new tools.

7. Long term sustainability (including capacity building): We refer to section 5 on ‘Expected contribution to the implementation of the target plan/strategy’ to demonstrate the long term sustainability of the results of the IP, in particular to the long term –target period of the strategies (i.e. until 2050) and the fact that the IP will lay down the solid foundations for the future policy implementation and will have moulded the Belgian climate policy for housing for several decades. The trajectory of the IP will be continued by large-scale implementation of the IP developed policy measures, in the whole residential building sector of the Flemish and Walloon Region; as determined in the regional strategies.

Replication and transfer of the demonstrated and selected best practices and the developed, tested and refined innovative policy instruments within the LIFE BE REEL! Project, have the greatest priority in the LIFE BE REEL! Project and the after LIFE plan, which will be developed as an IP-action. The innovative tools that will be developed (quickscan, audit, EAP overall record, housing passport, renovation advice) will, as is decided in the regional governments’ decisions, be used on the whole territory, so that

15

eventually each dwelling had a thorough study of its energy improvement potential and a roadmap that will guide them to the highest level of energy performance. The (adopted) regional renovation strategies include ambitious long term goals for 2050. The results of the IP (such as developed policy instruments, guidelines, best practices, built up capacity, knowledge, awareness and engagement) will be the cornerstones of the long term implementation of both strategies and will be transferred on large scale (the whole territory). The results of the IP will structurally change the building/constructing sector, legislation, toolkit and capacity.The BE REEL! project will act as a catalyst for social and economic development by moving the Walloon and Flemish housing sector towards a solid component of a low carbon society. The BE REEL! Project has a strong focus on capacity building throughout the project. Strategic capacity building actions will catalyze the process towards the full implementation. In respect of capacity building we would like to refer to heading 3. Actions and means involved, which collects all information on capacity building by this proposed IP. The IP will strengthen partnerships and stakeholder engagement and will build the capacity of those stakeholders. The IP will result in a committed governance and stakeholder-framework capable of implementing the measures in the whole society. The capacity and the commitment built up by the IP-actions, will have a sustainable nature and will serve the targets of the regional renovation strategies for decades. The Regions and local authorities in the partnership are very committed and active in mobilizing funds for the implementation of the strategies (see financial plan). The cross-regional collaboration and cooperation with local authorities, facilitated by the IP, will result in more efficient use of resources and enhanced coordination in mobilizing funds (EU, public and private).

8. Expected major constraints and risks of the: IP itself

1. Lack of stakeholder support (including the general public) and uptake of the developed instruments A lack of stakeholder support could slow down the successful implementation of the deep renovation actions and overall renovation strategies, so we need to involve the different stakeholders in a way that their contribution delivers direct advantages (work, knowledge, project support). Strong involvement of both professional actors as private persons is necessary. Approach to tackle this constraint: - The BE REEL! Project largely invests in public awareness, stakeholder engagement and

dissemination of results. - An exchange and knowledge platform will initiate best practices and innovations and will spread out

expertise and competences by training programs to obtain sector capacity for high-number and high-grade housing renovations.This should allow accelerated uptake of advanced retrofitting practices throughout the chain of retrofitting actors, includingbuilders and administrations.

- A lot of efforts will be made to develop a qualitative renovation advice which is at the same time detailed, user friendly and offers a big added value to general advice because it will be tailored made for one specific house, including different scenario’s and cost estimation. Strong efforts will be made for making the advice affordable, allowing wide uptake.

- The combination of all E actions will ensure the wide transfer and uptake of the results of the IP in Belgium and the EU through websites, newsletters, events, dissemination of guidelines an best practices, technical publications, promotion BE REEL! Project on different local, regional, national and EU for a, development and implementation of ambitious communication and marketing plans, including adapted communication tools to different target groups and broad advertising.

2. Lack of political support

A possible lack of political support, could slow down the implementation of the strategic actions. A clear and sustained commitment from this and next governments on the objectives of the renovation strategy and on a coherent roadmap will be of crucial nature in the next years and decades. Contacts with the political level of Brussels Capital Region could facilitate the ongoing process of preparing a politically approved long term renovation strategy.

3. Budgetary limitations

The financial support of this IP will boost up the level of exchange and cooperation, speed up the implementation of actions and hopefully facilitate extra financing, both public and private. Cost efficiency and keeping the developed instruments and actions affordable is crucial, both for the public

16

authorities and stakeholders directly involved, as for the target groups on who the general successful take up will depend. Some project actions to counter these limitations: - The developed tools will be integrated in existing tool of the energy performance certificate, keeping

costs low thereby taking advantage of cross regional collaboration and most efficient use of means; - New models for financing collective renovations and energy loans (for example models like energy

performance contracting) are put forward by the financial sector; - Specifically related to demonstration projects there will be a constant investigation and effort to

lower costs e.g. through partnerships and analysis. 4. Technological difficulties /limitations

- Realization of user-friendly and dynamic tools (housing passport, overall record) will face possible technological difficulties. These will be overcome by realizing links with databases of other policy areas. This involves a lot of analysis and programming. Although this process already started end of 2015, the risk exists that some parts or functions take more time than foreseen. To counter that, the phasing op the pilots takes this into account.

5. Legal constraints

For several project actions there could be some legal constraints for deep renovation, so adjustment of the current legislation is needed, e.g: - In the sector of co-ownership (where there always has to be a substantial majority of owners in

favor of renovation leading to situations where a minority can block ambitious renovation) - legal constraints in heritage protected houses - collective installation of renewable energy – solar panels

6. Quality of renovation advice and audits To avoid low quality, only trained and certified advisors and auditors will be allowed to deliver the advice and only specifically trained auditors.

7. Delays resulting from permit procedures (e.g. applications for building permits) for demonstration/pilot actions

8.. Involvement of vulnerable population groups

The involvement of vulnerable population groups in the renovation strategy will be a big challenge. Some actions of the IP have been specifically designed to face this challenge successfully: - Neighbourhood renovation, In some neighbourhoods there is a higher concentration of more

vulnerable people. It’s very important that these people are also able to participate in this project. - Budget neutral retrofitting for vulnerable families

Complementary actions - Political, budgetary and socio-economic evolutions in the long run - The evolution in energy prices: long lasting low energy prices could decrease willingness to

renovate - Available means and staff of public and local authorities and stakeholders for the nationwide

implementation of the ambitious renovation strategies

9. a) Is your project significantly climate related? Yes No b) Is your project significantly biodiversity-related? Yes No If you consider your project to be significantly climate or biodiversity-related (you marked 'yes'), please explain why: The project is directly linked to the implementation of the European directive on energy efficiency (EED) 2012/27/EU, article 4 “Member States shall establish a long-term strategy for mobilizing investment in the renovation of the national stock of residential and commercial buildings, both public and private”. The project targets an ambitious greenhouse gas mitigation strategy for the residential buildings sector of the Flemish and Walloon Region, which was responsible for 16 Million tonnes CO2 emissions in 2014 (14% of the total GHG-emissions for Belgium or 22% of total non-ETS emissions Belgium).The IP highly contributes to reaching the future non-ETS GHG reduction targets for Belgium in the 2030 Climate and Energy framework and will put Belgium on the way to achieve the transformation towards a low carbon society as laid down in the 2050 low carbon roadmap. All the actions and measures of the targeted strategies concern one central goal: a long-lasting strong reduction of the emission of greenhouse gasses linked to a drastic drop in the energy consumption of

x

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the housing sector of over 4,1 million dwellings. At the same time, cutting back the domestic energy consumption in such a degree, and combining it with a growth in de-central energy production in the housing sector, also facilitates the realization of an ambitious share of renewable energy sources in the energy consumption. Taking into account the central role housing plays in everyone’s life and in the economy, the project will raise a broad public awareness on climate action that can support climate actions in different fields such as mobility, industry,….

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LIFE Integrated Projects 2016 - CNf

MAP OF THE GENERAL LOCATION OF THE PROJECT AREA(S) IN THE COUNTRY/REGION

Vlaams Gewest: Flanders (project partner) Waals Gewest: Wallonia (project partner) Brussels Hoofdstedelijk gewest: Brussels Capital Region (not involved)

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF LOCATION(s) IN THE COUNTRY

The targeted strategies covers the regions of Flanders (Vlaams Gewest, 13.522 km², 6,4 million inhabitants) and Wallonia (Waals Gewest, 16.844 km², 3,6 million inhabitants). At this point, the Brussels Capital Region (Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, 32,6 km², 1,17 million inhabitants) is not taking part in the project, although this region too is in the process of making up a strategic residential renovation plan. The Brussels Capital Region will participate in the learning network that will be established within the IP. Since the strategies focus on over 4,1 million residential buildings spread over the entire area, the project an strategies target ultimately the complete regional areas. The area(s) covered by the IP and of the complementary actions are similar. In the first phase of the project the partner cities function as experimental zones for testing out methods and tools before scaling them up after evaluation to as many cities and municipalities as possible. Two Walloon cities (Mouscron and La Louviere) participate directly in the IP by proposing actions in connection with both their Action Plan for Sustainable Energy (SEAP) but also in connection with the renovation strategy since the actions proposed will test the tools developed in the IP. In the Region of Flanders the cities of Ghent, Mechelen and Antwerp are the central partners in a large number of concrete actions Since several actions will be worked out with other relevant stakeholders (provincial advice centers on durable housing, social renting offices,…), several BE REEL! Activities will pop up throughout the regions. In The Walloon Region the tools developed will be tested on a limited number of Walloon cities selected by the regional administration in the form of a call for proposals. The list of participating cities will be available at the full proposal. Secondly, the complementary actions to the IP are designed to expand the use of tools (quickscan, EAP, overall record, Housing Passport, Renovation Advice) throughout the entire territory. An exchange of best practices and cooperation between regions will also diffuse the effects expected beyond the regional territory

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Belgium, cities participating as project beneficiary: GENT ANTWERP MECHELEN

Maps can be provided in an A4 or A3 format

LA LOUVIERE

MOUSCRON

20

LIFE Integrated Projects 2016 – CNg

Sources of

financing

Actions/

measures to be financed

Amount of

funding

(EUR)

Status/date of

Funding

granted/

to be granted/

not yet

requested

Authority/

entity

managing

the fund

LIFE PROJECT:

EU contribution NA NA NA

Contribution by

beneficiaries

NA NA NA

Contribution by

cofinancers

0

TOTAL LIFE IP

EU FUNDS

Interreg Flanders-

Netherlands –

See2Do!

Lower thresholds for

energy-efficiency

renovations by households

(thermography, renovation

advice, disseminate energy

efficiency techniques to

housing market) (Mechelen)

171.380 € granted EU-

European

Commission

Interreg 2seas Triple

A. Mechelen and

Antwerp

(other Belgian

partners Ostend,

Ghent University and

Grid Operator

Eandis)

Adoption of low-carbon

technologies by home-

owners

Antwerp:

708.432 €

Mechelen:

461.665 €

Ostend:

418.210 €

UGent:

396.775 €

Eandis:

117.160 €

Total Flemish

partners:

2.102.242 €

13/7 full proposal

Referred back for

operational

reasons. Resubmit

10/10/2016.

Expected start

01/2017

EU

Interreg North-West

Europe: ACE-

retrofitting

Antwerp

Accelerating Condominium

Energy Retrofitting

Autonoom

Gemeentebedrijf

Energiebespa-

ringsfonds

Antwerpen:

608.522 €

Total

1.221.059 €

Concept note

approved 02/2016.

Full proposal

submitted. Granted

15/9/2016

EU

TOTAL INTERREG 2.882.144 €

EFRO Vlaanderen

Priority sustainable

urban development

(Antwerp and Ghent)

Smart use of space and

socio-economic

strengthening of deprived

neighbourhoods

3.740.000 € for

Antwerp

1.500.000 € for

Ghent

The calls opened on

10 March 2016.

Currently project

proposals are being

prepared.

EU- fund -

Agency

Enterprise

Flanders

TOTAL EFRO 5.240.000 €

H2020-EE-2015-4

PDA "FALCO”

Financing Ambitious Local

Climate Objectives

Budget Antwerp:

42.906 €

Budget Ghent :

40.000 €

Submitted

15/09/2016

EU-

European

Commission:

DG Energy

21

H2020-EE-2014-10

"STEP-BY-STEP"

accompaniment of citizens

in order to lower their

energy consumption

Budget Ghent:

136.596 € granted

EU-

European

Commission:

DG Energy

H2020

Planheat Antwerp

(other Belgian

partner: Vito)

tool for empowering local

authorities in the

development of sustainable

energy plans

Antwerp:

88.750 €

Granted. Start

project 01/10/2016 EU

TOTAL H2020 308.252 €

SUBTOTAL EU: 8.430.396 €

OTHER FUNDS

Flanders Region Establish detailed roadmap

2050 including definition of

actions, measures and

stakeholders involvement in

Region of Flanders

200.000 € Regional budget Flemish

Region/VEA

Flanders Region Defining a monitoring and

evaluation methodology for

progress and results of

Renovation Pact actions

Region of Flanders

80.000 € Regional Budget Flemish

Region/VEA

Flanders Region Adaptation and reform of

the support mechanisms,

grants and loans for energy

savings investments in the

Region of Flanders

100.000 € Regional Budget Flemish

Region/VEA

Flanders Region Large scale implementation

of new developed tools

enhancing renovation in the

of the Region of Flanders

800.000 € Regional Budget Flemish

Region/VEA

Flanders Region Energy Efficiency Grants

issued by Energy Grid

Operators 2017 - 2022

400.000.000 € Guaranteed -

Financed within the

tariff of electricity

as defined in

energy legislation,

for 6 years

Flemish

Region/VEA

Flanders Region Flemish Energy Efficiency

Loans 2017 - 2022

300.000.000 € Regional budget,

for 6 years

Flemish

Region/VEA

Walloon Region Establish detailed roadmap

2050, and stakeholders’

involvement in Walloon

Region

80.000 € Regional budget Walloon

Region

Walloon Region Define monitoring and

evaluation methodology for

progress and result of

actions

30.000 € Regional budget Walloon

Region

Walloon Region General adaptation/reform

of the grants for energy

savings investments in the

Walloon Region

175.000 € Regional budget Walloon

Region

Walloon Region Large scale implementation

of new tools in the whole

400.000 € Regional budget Walloon

Region

22

territory of the Walloon

Region.

City of Antwerp Ecohouse Antwerp: Energy

services sustainable

renovation in period (2016-

2020): 7 staff members

1.800.000 € Guaranteed in

multi-annual city

budget

City of

Antwerp

City of Antwerp 6 City neighbourhood

renovation information

centres in period 2016-

2020: 18 staff members:

3.400.000 € Guaranteed in

multi-annual city

budget

City of

Antwerp

Project fund

sustainable city

(instrument city of

Antwerp)

Private company Factor 4

received funding for project

‘energy performance

contracting renovation

apartment blocks

20 000€ Granted Factor 4

(private

company)

Flemish city fund –

Antwerp

For Antwerp: Contract

sustainable city: project

EMA + ‘territory and

buildings’ policy

7.600.000 € Amount

guaranteed/project

s to be requested +

granted annually

Flemish

government

AG Vespa

(autonomous agency

city of Antwerp)

Buy and renovate dwellings

in deprived neighbourhoods

to resell and give a boost to

the neighbourhoods

“territory and buildings

policy”

82.800.000 € Guaranteed in

multi-annual op

AGVespa

AG Vespa

Subtotal public: 797.265.000 €

Private Funds 0 €

Subtotal private: 0 €

International funds: 0 €

Total

complementary:

805.695.396 €