Doubling the renovation rate to cut emissions, boost recovery and reduce energy poverty

35 million buildings could be renovated by 2030 under the European Commission’s recently published Renovation Wave Strategy aimed at greening buildings, creating jobs and improving the standard of living. The Commission seeks to double renovation rates over the next 10 years with renovations that lead to higher energy and resource efficiency and thereby reduce Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions. Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said: “The green recovery starts at home. With the Renovation Wave we will tackle the many barriers that today make renovation complex, expensive and time consuming, holding back much needed action. We will propose better ways to measure renovation benefits, minimum energy performance standards, more EU funding and technical assistance encourage green mortgages and support more renewables in heating and cooling. This will be a game changer for home-owners, tenants and public authorities.”