Consumers will only renovate their homes if it’s easy and affordable
Author: Monique Goyens
Source: euractiv.com
Consumers are willing and ready to play their part in the green housing transition, but they will need guidance and support along the way, writes Monique Goyens. Goyens is director-general of BEUC, the European consumer organisation.
Europe’s building stock currently accounts for 36% of European greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this will mean future-proofing our homes by thoroughly renovating them. But the complexity and expense of doing so is holding many people back.
As part of Europe’s Green Deal and the EU’s post-COVID recovery strategy, the so-called ‘Renovation Wave’ aims to bring Europe’s building stock into the 21st century by making it more climate-resilient. The Strategy aims to at least double renovation rates in the next decade.
However, to be aligned with the Paris Agreement, annual renovation rates will need to quadruple, and deep retrofits – that ensure the biggest energy savings – at least tenfold. This is a massive undertaking. Yet improving energy efficiency in buildings is a no-brainer: it leads to lower energy consumption and costs, as well as better indoor air quality and improved health for consumers. It also enables consumers to make a very tangible contribution towards fighting climate change.
Consumers are willing and ready to play their part in this green housing transition, but they will need guidance and support along the way. Home renovation is both expensive and complex. Buying a state-of-the-art heat pump or investing in a full heating insulation of your home is a major investment for most consumers.
Nor should consumers need to be qualified builders or have a PhD in energy to navigate the complexities of making their homes more sustainable. The whole process needs demystifying. Consumers will only get on board the Renovation Wave if policymakers make it easier for them to do so.
Read the full article here.
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