Energy efficiency report calls for new and tougher EU targets

Energy efficiency experts at the University of East Anglia are calling for ambitious new targets to reduce energy demand across the European Union.

In a report published on February 27th by the Build with CaRe consortium, the researchers propose a new EU target of a 40 % reduction in primary energy demand by 2050.

The report concludes that radically improving the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings is key to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, and Europe should be leading the way.

Build with CaRe is a consortium of local authorities and universities from five countries across the North Sea region, funded partly by the European Regional Development Fund. Its aim is to make energy-efficient building design the mainstream. A key strategy is the promotion of the innovative ‘passivhaus’ concept that can reduce energy use for heating and cooling buildings by 90 per cent. Adopting passive house quality as the building industry standard for both new build and refurbishment of existing buildings will also bring financial and well-being benefits for occupants.

The report can be downloaded from the CaRe website.