Efficient public building: How will the Renovation Wave bend around the Mediterranean shore?

The Renovation Wave initiative is a key pillar of the EU Green Deal. As stated by MEP rapporteur Ciarán Cuffe, the “current crisis suggests that a European renovation wave could assist with an economic recovery by creating local jobs, upskilling workers and creating resilient communities.” There is no longer any question about what needs to be done. The central question now is how we can speed up renovation and help local and regional authorities in this endeavour.

The 90-minute online conversation allowed EU policymakers to hear testimonials from the ground in the Mediterranean zone. They and all participants got input on how to further improve the energy efficiency framework for public buildings at EU and national levels, especially in view of the Renovation Wave initiative. These include urgent measures like:

1. Monitor the transposition and implementation of the buildings-related EU Directives (EPBD, EED and RED) to effectively identify synergies and barriers
2. Adapt financial rules and dedicate funding tailored to the Mediterranean area
3. Foster harmonisation of EU-wide standards while designing differentiated policies

With a view to a buildings stimulus plan, three partners from the Interreg MED-funded Efficient Buildings Community, a network of Mediterranean stakeholders, offered their expertise to EU decision-makers. As the Mediterranean voice of building practitioners and experts from 13 countries from Portugal to Cyprus, they shared solutions they have successfully tested for improving buildings’ energy performance.