The event started presenting the concept of renovation in Europe, focusing on the challenges that it’s facing today. It has seen the participation of esteemed speakers such as Director-general DG ENER , the Director CAN Europe, and the President of EuroACE. The discussion shines the spotlight on extremely high-level insights on the renovation of the building sector, into the renovation of the building sector, the materials at the heart of this critical transition, and the critical role of the heat pumps in the European building stock. ck.

A key point of discussion revolved around the European Commission's proposal for the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), with particular emphasis on the pivotal role of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in the ongoing Renovation Wave. The EPC deemed a crucial element of this initiative, was highlighted for its multifaceted nature as a policy instrument. Offering a comprehensive snapshot of a building's energy efficiency, the EPC also provides actionable recommendations for improvement, underscoring its significance in shaping the trajectory of the Renovation Wave.

Representatives from prominent European energy and climate agencies, including Flemish Energy and Climate Agency (VEKA), Tim von Harras from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands, Rui Fragoso from the Buildings and Efficiency of Resources Department (ADENE) of Portugal, and Chris Hughes from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), recently shared insights into the present and future significance of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) in their respective countries. The discussion centered around optimizing the utilization of EPCs by Member States, emphasizing strategic approaches to enhance energy efficiency and climate action.

The results highlighted the EPC as a guiding policy instrument to impose renovations with a consequent positive impact on house prices and fossil-free heating and cooling.  Quality assessment and support to the stakeholders should be a critical element to ensure a good level of quality and trust in the scheme. The debate also emphasized the importance of a common effort to make, in the future, Energy Performance Certificates more reliable, more convenient to use, and more widely available to all parties concerned.

It is also expected that 2024 will bring new opportunities to refresh and revamp the EPC scheme in Europe with the commitment of all Member States!

Attending this conference was an extremely stimulating experience. The participation of e-SAFE reinforced our commitment to creating a more comfortable, carbon-neutral, and sustainable environment for everyone.  Today, energy-efficient homes and innovative solutions are more necessary than ever, and the e-safe project represents a step in the right direction toward a sustainable future