Blog by Rose Morrison – EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive takes effect: what 40% of energy demand means for building renovations

Image source: Unsplash Buildings play as much of a role in Europe’s transition to a low-carbon future as wind farms and solar panels. As the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) drives a new wave of renovation requirements, governments across the European Union are encouraging upgrades that improve efficiency, reduce energy demand and strengthen … Continue reading Blog by Rose Morrison – EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive takes effect: what 40% of energy demand means for building renovations →

The demand-side blindness at the heart of UK energy policy

The debate over the UK's energy future is still overwhelmingly focused on how to generate more power, while far less attention is paid to the cheapest and fastest energy resource of all: using less. In this commentary, the environmentalist Sir Jonathon Porritt argues that this imbalance is not accidental but reflects decades of political choices … Continue reading The demand-side blindness at the heart of UK energy policy →

Energy crises are driving a renovation revolution

High energy prices have sparked new interest in energy-related renovations and non-fossil heating systems. This post by Desislava Rusinova and Marco Weissler of the European Central Bank argues that such investments cushion the impact of energy shocks on the building and construction sector. The analysis shows that while energy shocks initially hurt the construction sector, … Continue reading Energy crises are driving a renovation revolution →

Energy in Demand News, August 2-3, 2026

Frank Elderson, a member of the European Central Bank’s executive board, told the Guardian that the climate emergency and the breakdown of nature poses a dramatically growing risk to the global economy. He said it was clear the rising frequency of natural disasters linked to global heating poses a threat to financial stability. “Nature-related risks … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 2-3, 2026 →

The cheapest gas is the gas Europe never uses

Michael Kern writes on the Oil Price website that rather than focusing on securing ever more LNG imports, Europe can strengthen its energy security by reducing gas demand through heat pumps, renewable electricity and energy efficiency. Hitting EU Renewables Targets Could Slash Gas Demand a Quarter by 2030 The European Union could save a … Continue reading The cheapest gas is the gas Europe never uses →

Buyers want lower bills, not green premiums

Marvin Onumonu writes on the Intermediary website that property buyers clearly value energy efficiency, but primarily because it reduces monthly costs—not because they are willing to pay a substantial premium for an energy-efficient label. Only 2% said they would pay significantly more for an efficient property, while 26% said they would pay a little more. … Continue reading Buyers want lower bills, not green premiums →

The energy success story nobody talks about

A reduction in energy consumption has played a big part in the UK’s progress to net zero, so how come the government appears so reluctant to encourage further efficiency gains? In a column on the July/August issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry, Andrew Warren looks at how decisions appear to be driven by those … Continue reading The energy success story nobody talks about →

DEEP and going DEEP-er

The DEEP (De-risking Energy Efficiency Platform) is the European Commission's open-access database designed to reduce the perceived financial risk of investing in energy efficiency projects. It is one of the Commission's most important tools for demonstrating, with real-world evidence, that energy efficiency investments are often lower risk and more profitable than many investors assume. DEEP was officially launched … Continue reading DEEP and going DEEP-er →

Energy in Demand News, July 26-27, 2026

As this week’s Energy in Demand was being prepared, more than 280,000 people had been ordered to flee or lock down as huge wildfires swept Spain and France, prompting Madrid to declare a national emergency and the French authorities to order the total evacuation, by land and sea, of one of the country’s best-known holiday … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 26-27, 2026 →

Europe’s building renovation divide

In an article on the Euronews website, Alessio Dell'Anna writes about Europe's uneven progress on building renovation. Energy efficiency levels are rising, but not quickly enough, according to Brussels, which has launched an infringement procedure against all EU member states. Green homes: which countries are making their buildings more energy efficient? Last week, the … Continue reading Europe’s building renovation divide →