— last modified 29 March 2018
On 27th March, the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EuroACE) organised with the French Coalition for Energy Efficiency (CFEE) a workshop on ‘Energy Renovation of Buildings in France: how to make the most out of the revised EU framework, with a French perspective’.
Around 40 participants from industry, the financial sector, the European Commission, French national authorities, as well as NGOs, gathered in Paris to discuss the crucial role of building renovation in the French Energy Transition.
The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), negotiated last year, will soon be published in Brussels. EuroACE and the CFEE decided to gather the French energy efficiency and building community, to discuss how to make the most out of this new EU framework for energy renovations of buildings in France. This comes at the same time as the publication by the French Government of its new national renovation strategy in April.
“Achieving the energy transition and implementing the Paris Agreement requires strong French support for ambitious energy savings at EU level, but also nationally, and for this, we need a clear and concrete long-term building renovation strategy”, explained Romain RIOLLET, CFEE Project Manager. With the EU and French regulatory frameworks for energy efficiency in buildings being updated at the same time, the national consultation organised at the end of 2017 on the new renovation plan raised stakeholders’ expectations. “If we are serious about fighting climate change and energy poverty, ambitious energy renovation works must take place now, at a massive scale, all over France and the EU”, he added.
The intense and lively discussions at the workshop showed how to give flesh to this national long-term renovation strategy, how to match regulatory ambition with sufficient public and private financing, and how to address specific segments of the population or of the building stock with tailor-made solutions and tools. The significant benefits that energy renovations bring to citizens, governments and companies in terms of improved health & well-being, local job creation, security of supply and lower energy bills, were also highlighted.
“This good engagement from stakeholders, both at EU and French level, shows there is strong willingness from industry and the financial sector to do their job for renovating the French building stock and delivering benefits on the ground. For EU legislation to have a full impact, we need continuous political leadership and support from the authorities when they transpose and implement EU legislation”, said Adrian JOYCE, EuroACE Secretary General.
Jonna BYSKATA, Director, Building Systems, Government Relations Europe for United Technologies (UTC), explained that “UTC is pleased to support EuroACE organising this workshop in France to look in depth at the French initiatives and policies to promote energy renovations. With a lot of investment in France, we are keen to see so many leading efficiency policies in the country.”
EuroACE will in the coming months continue working with Member States on the good transposition and implementation of the revised EU framework for energy renovations of buildings. Because energy efficiency measures in buildings are a true engine for jobs and improved quality of life.
