In an interview with the Guardian Fatih Birol the IEA Chief, says “the world‟s number one priority in tackling climate change must be to ensure buildings meet higher standards of efficiency and safety. This would be the single most important step I want governments to take, and they can take it tomorrow.”

Buildings are Europe‟s largest single user of energy and two thirds of Europe‟s buildings were constructed with either none of limited energy performance  requirements and   I am delighted to see one of the most influential people on  energy  markets sharing,  echoeing and  underlining  not only  the  important  role  of  buildings for  our climate, but also the fact that we need action now”, said Jan te Bos, Director General Eurima.

90% of buildings standing today will be here in 2050, an increase in the rate (and depth) of renovation of our inefficient building urgent, or we will continue to waste billions of euros of in importing unnecessary energy, not be able to reap the benefits of a comfortable home, continue having  high energy bills, fail to address key social issues such as energy poverty,  and miss the creation of additional (and non-delocalised) jobs and skills  - when we could be pouring this money back into European economies.

To meet Europe‟s COP21 commitment and 2050 decarbonisation goals, an ambitious and coherent strategy to maximise the potential in the building sector is needed.  Highly efficient buildings would transform our energy landscape  by  reducing  peak  demand  and  improving  the  integration  of  renewable  en ergy  and  smart technologies.  By  insulating  the  75%  of  our  inefficient  buildings  peak  demand  for  electricity  could  be  cut  by 57GW from to 2050 — equal to the current total electricity production capacity of the Netherlands and Austria.

“Our industry is ready to deliver the energy renovation of our building stock but this requires a solid commitment and a European vision of a „nearly zero energy building stock by 2050” Commented Pascal Eveillard, President of Eurima.

ENDS