The impact of energy performance certificates

What is your experience with EPCs? Ten years after their introduction DECs and EPCs provide a fascinating snapshot of the state of the UK’s building stock even if compliance is still far from perfect. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, explains in an article in the April 2019 issue of Energy in … Continue reading The impact of energy performance certificates

Over two-fifths of Brits said they would pay more for an energy efficient home

Research in the UK shows that buyers aged 25 to 34 appear happy to sacrifice a garage, garden and larger property to own their first home - but environmental concerns seem just as important as schools and local amenities. Property expert Phil Spencer explains in an article on the Time & Star website. Forget the … Continue reading Over two-fifths of Brits said they would pay more for an energy efficient home

It is amazing where we learn our lessons how to build more sustainable buildings

“We think humans are the best designers, but this is not really true,” a researcher said. JoAnna Klein writes in the New York Times about what termites can teach us about cooling buildings.   What Termites Can Teach Us About Cooling Our Buildings In the capital of Zimbabwe, a building called Eastgate Centre holds nearly … Continue reading It is amazing where we learn our lessons how to build more sustainable buildings

Canada looks to improve its buildings in addressing climate change

In the 1980s, Canada was a leader in developing buildings for the 21st century.  They were called R-2000 homes and they were praised by the International Energy Agency for the approach taken. While R-2000 standards have been updated, other countries overtook Canada through the development of passive houses and nearly zero energy buildings. Gary Martin, … Continue reading Canada looks to improve its buildings in addressing climate change

California seeing a “boom” in construction of net zero energy buildings

We need leaders and, once again, California is leading the way to promote sustainable energy solutions. Tsvetana Paraskova writes on the Oilprice.com website about the construction of net zero energy buildings now underway in California. So, which country is leading in Europe?   The Net-Zero Energy Housing Boom Is Starting Here California, which has ambitious … Continue reading California seeing a “boom” in construction of net zero energy buildings

European Commission starts legal steps against several EU member states for failing to comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

At a time when we have to pull out all the stops to achieve our long-term low-carbon energy and climate objectives, it is discouraging to see that the European Commission is having to take legal steps against some of the EU’s member states in order to ensure that the Energy Performance of Buildings directive is … Continue reading European Commission starts legal steps against several EU member states for failing to comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

The role our buildings can play in addressing climate change

In Europe, improving the energy performance of our buildings is identified a high priority in our energy and climate objectives.  It is instructive to see what is happening in other countries. Meg Holden, Professor and Director, Urban Studies and Professor of Geography and Rebecca Holt, Senior Sustainable Building Advisor, Perkins+Will and Member of SFU Urban … Continue reading The role our buildings can play in addressing climate change

New briefing from BPIE: Policy Innovation for Building Renovation – How can policy innovation scale up the decarbonisation of the building stock in Europe?

This year with the Clean Energy Package in Europe now at the stage of implementation it is important that there are fresh ideas leading to more effective action. The Buildings Performance Institute Europe has just published an important new briefing arguing that accelerating deep renovation requires a systemic transformation of the construction sector, which can … Continue reading New briefing from BPIE: Policy Innovation for Building Renovation – How can policy innovation scale up the decarbonisation of the building stock in Europe?

New support to improve energy performance of buildings in Lithuania

We all know the challenges to decarbonise the building stock in Europe as part of the EU’s objective of meeting its Paris climate obligations. Financing is fundamental and there is a growing array of initiatives from the Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group (EEFIG), the Sustainable Energy Investment Forums, Smart Finance for Smart Buildings and much … Continue reading New support to improve energy performance of buildings in Lithuania

New study on improving the health, well-being and productivity of European citizens through people-centric renovations for offices, schools and hospitals

Investing in the renovation of offices, schools and hospitals would greatly improve the health, well-being and productivity of European citizens, according to a new study launched today by Buildings 2030 and conducted by the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE). Three building types - hospitals, schools and offices – account for nearly half of the total … Continue reading New study on improving the health, well-being and productivity of European citizens through people-centric renovations for offices, schools and hospitals