Interview: Bendt Bendtsen, former EPBD Rapporteur

On the second anniversary of the publication of the revised Buildings Directive, we sat down with Bendt Bendtsen, Rapporteur on the EPBD revision in 2017-2018 and former Minister for Economic Affairs of Denmark, to discuss achievements on the EPBD and the outlook for energy efficient buildings policy.

To be a success, the Renovation Wave must involve ordinary citizens and be market friendly.

On the many Member States that had not yet submitted their long-term renovation strategies, he said: “It is equally worrying and embarrassing. It is worrying because we cannot afford to wait – the poor state of our buildings adversely affects the climate and public health across Europe.”

Of the new provisions in the revised EPBD, he is proudest of the long-term renovation strategies: “The EU ought to work harder to make common Europeans feel part of the European project – and the long-term renovation strategies are a great chance to create real change in the lives of millions of Europeans that deserve green and healthy buildings.”