Building the way out of the crisis (Special Reports)

Special reports written by EurActiv in June 2013.

With Europe’s hard-fought over Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) coming into force 2014, advocates are pushing for the EU to come forward with a target for 2030, and adopt proposals to dramatically cut energy use in Europe’s building stock by 2050.
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The Brussels Capital Region is probably the most ambitious in Europe in terms of introducing energy efficiency in buildings, industry sources told EurActiv, but the European Commission’s ageing building stock has not yet reaped the benefits.
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The debate on what kinds of buildings we should live and work in is shifting, with construction experts and EU policymakers moving away from focusing simply on energy efficiency to a broader appreciation of sustainable buildings, taking into account their environmental, social and economic impact.
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Europe’s ambitious plan for 80% market penetration of smart meters by 2020 is failing to live up to expectations. A senior energy official at the European Commission admits that market penetration is still very low, particularly in the new member states, and that there is a big shortfall in investment.
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The buildings sector is facing a huge challenge: how to encourage investment in the refurbishment of Europe’s old building stock, and for the near-zero buildings of the future? Industry sources told EurActiv that member states are at fault for not doing enough to stimulate a market in energy efficiency investments.

• Primary Source

EurActiv: Special Report, 24.06.13: Buildings renovation takes centre stage as debate heats up over energy efficiency targets for 2030 http://www.euractiv.com/special-report-building-way-cris/buildings-renovation-takes-centr-news-528818

EurActiv: Special Report, 25.06.13: Commission hamstrung in Brussels buildings renovation drive http://www.euractiv.com/special-report-building-way-cris/commission-hamstrung-brussels-bu-news-528842

EurActiv: Special Report, 26.06.13: A wider view: Shifting paradigms in the buildings sector http://www.euractiv.com/special-report-building-way-cris/wider-view-shifting-paradigms-bu-news-528867

EurActiv: Special Report, 27.06.13: EU smart meter roll-out lags behind ambition http://www.euractiv.com/special-report-building-way-cris/eu-smart-meter-roll-lags-ambitio-news-528914

EurActiv: Special Report, 28.06.13: Governments short-change energy efficiency, investors say http://www.euractiv.com/special-report-building-way-cris/governments-short-change-energy-news-528946

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