Update on the energy performance of buildings

Improving the energy performance of our buildings is a high priority as countries roll out their net-zero energy transition strategies.

This week there were two interesting articles you should be aware of:

• The Mortgage Solutions website writes that around 80 per cent of landlords have already completed energy efficiency works in the UK. Check out what they have to say.
• The Clean Energy Wire website writes that German buildings minister Klara Geywitz has warned against increasing energy standards for new buildings, saying the sector was already making a major contribution to reducing emissions by decarbonising heat supply. “If we want to raise the energy efficiency of individual buildings by several levels, then the entire stock has to be renovated – even in [rural areas such as] the Harz Mountains, the Sauerland or the Altmark. I don’t see how that can be done, nor do I see how it can be financed,” Geywitz said. She instead wants to focus on lowering emissions in the construction process – for example by increasing the use of natural or recycled materials – and not the lifecycle of the buildings. You can read the full article here.

Meanwhile, the revision of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is moving forward. It is now hoped that the final negotiations between the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission will start in June. Let’s hope that any outstanding issues can be resolved soon.