A Renovation Wave for Europe – greening our buildings, creating jobs, improving lives

Summary:

Communication adopted by the European Commission on 14 October 2020, setting out its Renovation Wave Strategy in the framework of the European Green Deal.

Further information:

The central aim of the Renovation Wave for Europe strategy is to improve the energy performance of buildings. The European Commission seeks to at least double renovation rates over a period of ten years and make sure renovations lead to higher energy and resource efficiency. The strategy prioritises action in three areas - decarbonisation of heating and cooling; tackling energy poverty and worst-performance buildings; and renovation of public buildings. The Commission proposes to break down existing barriers throughout the renovation chain – from the conception of a project to its funding and completion - with a set of policy measures, funding tools and technical assistance instruments.

The Communication was published by the Commission on 14 October 2020, in the framework of the wider objectives put forward by the European Green Deal.

Official

EUR-LEX: SWD(2020)550: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication - Support from the EU budget to unlock investment into building renovation under the Renovation Wave https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2020:550:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Renovation wave initiative in the buildings sector https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-european-green-deal/file-renovation-wave

European Commission: DG Energy: Topics: Renovation wave https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/renovation-wave_en

European Commission: Press Release, 14/10/2020: Renovation Wave: doubling the renovation rate to cut emissions, boost recovery and reduce energy poverty https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1835

European Commission: Questions and Answers on the Renovation Wave (14 October 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_1836

European Commission: Opening remarks by Executive Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Simson at the press conference Building a Climate Neutral Europe (14 October 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_1912

S&D EP Group: Position Papers, 28/01/2021: S&D position on the Renovation Wave strategy: win win win for climate, jobs and better quality of living for all https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/position-papers/sd-position-renovation-wave-strategy-win-win-win-climate-jobs-and-better-quality

---

News

EurActiv, 02/06/2021: EU renovation wave needs ‘major changes’ to be successful https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/eu-renovation-wave-needs-major-changes-to-be-successful/

---

Commentary and Analysis

Friends of the Earth (Europe): Press Release, 01/10/2020: EU Renovation Wave: right direction, wrong speed for emissions and energy poverty https://friendsoftheearth.eu/press-release/eu-renovation-wave-right-direction-wrong-speed-for-emissions-and-energy-poverty/

French Institute of Institutional Relations (IFRI): Études de l'IFRI, 12/10/2020: The Renovation Wave: A Make or Break for the European Green Deal https://www.ifri.org/en/publications/etudes-de-lifri/renovation-wave-make-or-break-european-green-deal

European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC): Press Release, 14/10/2020: Unions back EU building ‘renovation wave’ that ensures quality jobs and alleviates energy poverty https://www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/unions-back-eu-building-renovation-wave-ensures-quality-jobs-and-alleviates-energy

Glass for Europe: News, 03/12/2020: Taxonomy risks undermining Renovation Wave https://glassforeurope.com/taxonomy-risks-undermining-renovation-wave/

EUI: Florence School of Regulation: Events, 17/02/2021: The Renovation Wave - Making a Step Change on the EU's Energy Objectives https://fsr.eui.eu/event/the-renovation-wave-making-a-step-change-on-the-eus-energy-objectives/

BEUC: News, 01/03/2021: Why getting consumers on board Europe’s Renovation Wave is key for it to succeed https://www.beuc.eu/news/why-getting-consumers-board-europes-renovation-wave-key-it-succeed

Politico: Events, 03/06/2021: Surfing the renovation wave: Can Europe “build back better”? https://www.politico.eu/event/surfing-the-renovation-wave-can-europe-build-back-better/

European Policy Centre (EPC): Policy Briefs, 30/06/2021: Is the EU's building renovation wave 'fit for 55'? https://www.epc.eu/en/publications/Is-the-EUs-building-renovation-wave-fit-for-55~40d990

EurActiv: Opinion, 05/07/2021: Why the renovation wave matters more than the EU knows https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/opinion/why-the-renovation-wave-matters-more-than-the-eu-knows/

Housing Europe: Position Papers, 22/11/2021: The Renovation Wave must deliver on its commitment to tackle energy poverty https://www.housingeurope.eu/resource-1634/the-renovation-wave-must-deliver-on-its-commitment-to-tackle-energy-poverty

---