Europe Targets Energy Demands and Growth With Sustainable Refurbishment

Recognition of sustainable refurbishment is gaining with current economic and climate change concerns. Sustainable refurbishment is using green techniques in innovating existing buildings to increase environmental performance. This usually involves improvements to water and waste management, energy usage and insulation in order to reduce overall consumption. With sustainable refurbishment there is opportunity to create jobs and utilise proven technologies by focusing on existing infrastructure as a cost-effective, fast and measurable way to achieve energy reduction goals.

Retraction in the construction sector in the EU is turning towards more passive-housing concepts and sustainable refurbishment for economic potential. This is supported by an EU strategy for the widespread deployment of deep renovation which is believed will help the EU achieve its energy and climate targets. According to EuroACE the significance in climate protection is huge with the building sector representing 40% of total energy demand and 36% of CO2 emissions throughout the EU. Deep renovation of existing EU housing stock is seen as an investment contributing to urban regeneration and economic growth. There is an EU Growth Pact to 'refurbish 10 million homes', starting with the poorest performance dwellings, in order to 're-invigorate Europe's economy'.

Europe's aims are ambitious and will demand political and financial commitment over a set time-frame across the EU. The preparation of regulations, legislation and methodology within a common EU framework may not be feasible for each country. Also, to achieve this goal there must be a current and long term need for renovated buildings. After the reunification of eastern Germany, massive renovations were undertaken but 10 years later declined property markets left many buildings abandoned. The German example serves as a cautionary tale to ensure political actions based on goals such as refurbishing '10 million' homes is carefully calculated to avoid long term problems.

What is important for the success of large-scale sustainable refurbishment is overcoming how it can effectively be integrated whilst accommodating pressing cultural, economic and environmental issues. Sustainable refurbishment ideas can be enhanced with other compatible sustainable solutions. Europe exemplifies how opportunities are abundant and within reach. Not only does sustainable refurbishment save energy and resources but is socially enhancing and environmentally friendly, thus having a crucial role in achieving sustainable development.