French building community taking up the challenge of upscaling energy renovation of buildings

On 27 March 2018, EuroACE organised with the French Coalition for Energy Efficiency (CFEE) a workshop in Paris on ‘Energy Renovation of Buildings in France: how to make the most out of the revised EU framework, with a French perspective’. Around 40 participants from industry, the financial sector, the European Commission, French national authorities and NGOs discussed the crucial role of building renovation in the French energy transition.

The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was about to be published, at the same time as the French Government’s new national renovation strategy. The discussions showed how to give flesh to a national long-term renovation strategy, how to match regulatory ambition with sufficient public and private financing, and how to address specific segments of the population or of the building stock with tailor-made solutions.

“Achieving the energy transition and implementing the Paris Agreement requires strong French support for ambitious energy savings at EU level, but also nationally, and for this, we need a clear and concrete long-term building renovation strategy,” explained Romain Riollet, CFEE Project Manager.

“This good engagement from stakeholders, both at EU and French level, shows there is strong willingness from industry and the financial sector to do their job for renovating the French building stock and delivering benefits on the ground. For EU legislation to have a full impact, we need continuous political leadership and support from the authorities when they transpose and implement EU legislation,” said Adrian Joyce, EuroACE Secretary General.