Improved governance for energy efficiency in housing

TLDR

Energy‑saving and CO2‑reduction goals for an energy‑neutral building stock rely on strict governmental policies, with the EPBD and EED driving European regulations, yet policymakers lack a clear understanding of building performance and occupant behavior. The study proposes a radical rethink of governance, advocating supportive policies that combine near‑zero renovation incentives with performance guarantees and integrate occupant behavior to achieve accurate, outcomes‑based energy savings. Current governance instruments are ineffective at delivering real CO2 reductions, failing to ensure actual energy performance.

Abstract

Current practices show that the goals of energy saving and CO2 reductions for creating an energy-neutral building stock can only be reached by strict and supportive governmental policies. In Europe the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) are driving forces for member states to develop and strengthen energy performance regulations both for new buildings (via building approval procedures) and the existing building stock (via energy performance certificates or labels). The effectiveness of these current governance instruments and their impact on actual CO2 reductions are found to be inadequate for ensuring actual (not hypothecated) energy performance is achieved. To realize the very ambitious energy-saving goals a radical rethink of regulatory systems and instruments is necessary. Building performance and the behaviour of the occupants is not well understood by policy-makers. Alternative forms of governance are needed that have more impact on the actual outcomes. Supportive governance to stimulate near-zero renovations in combination with performance guarantees is a promising approach. Furthermore, engagement with occupant practices and behaviours is needed. To ensure accurate outcomes-based governance, a better understanding of building performance and behaviours of occupants must be incorporated.