The European Commission has published a “Renovation Wave” strategy. It sets out how to improve the energy efficiency of buildings with the aim of at least doubling the renovation over the next ten years. Although the renovation of buildings is taking place more widely in Latvia, it is necessary to reduce various obstacles, including technical issues, as well as public information and insufficient funding.
Through the “Renovation Wave”, the EU hopes to renovate up to 35 million buildings in ten yearsRihards Plūme00:00 / 07:01
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The European Commission estimates that buildings account for around 40% of the European Union’s energy consumption and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions. However, energy-efficient renovations take place in only 1% of buildings a year, so it is important to act effectively if Europe is to become climate-neutral by 2050.
The President of the European Commission Urzula von der Leiena also spoke about the renovation strategy in her address on the situation in the European Union: “Our buildings account for 40% of all emissions. They need to become more economical, cheaper and more sustainable. In addition, we know that the construction industry can even move from a carbon source to a carbon sink by using natural building materials such as wood and smart technologies such as artificial intelligence.
I want NextGenerationEU to launch a wave of European renovations and make the Union a leader in the circular economy. “
The strategy envisages that by 2030, 35 million buildings could be renovated and up to 160,000 new green jobs could be created in the construction sector. In the European Union, 85% of buildings were built more than 20 years ago and are expected to remain between 85% and 95% in 2050. Therefore, a wave of renovations is needed to bring these buildings to similar standards.
Evita Valgača, the head of the Energy Financial Instruments Division of the Ministry of Economics, outlined the current situation with the renovation of apartment buildings in Latvia: “By January 11 of this year, we have received 887 applications. In the previous period, we have supported the renovation of 746 apartment buildings, but in the current period, construction has now been completed in 180 buildings. Taking into account the EC’s demand, wishes and goals, Latvia, when developing the National Energy and Climate Plan, has envisaged specific goals, which must also be achieved in the new planning period until 2030. Among them are at least 2,000 apartment buildings that need to be renovated. In the new programming period
with the funding currently allocated, we aim to improve the living conditions of 17,000 households. ”
However, in order for building renovation to take place more widely in the Member States, various obstacles must be removed. The European Commission is therefore proposing to tackle the problems that exist throughout the renovation chain, from the conception of a project to its financing and completion, through specific policies and financial and technical assistance instruments.
As Inese Vaidere (MEP Unity), who has become the European Ambassador for Renovation in Latvia, explained in a conversation with Latvijas Radio, funding for achieving the goals set in the strategy will mainly be provided from the next Recovery and Sustainability Mechanism. The deputy emphasized that the Latvian building stock is worn out and very low in energy efficiency, therefore Latvia must make full use of all opportunities that would allow to improve the situation.
Although in Latvia it is planned to provide support for the promotion of energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources, the amount is still too small. And other improvements are needed to carry out more extensive building renovations.
“There are 163 million euros in the multi-annual budget. I believe that this is a small amount for a period of seven years.
At least twice as much would be needed. We also definitely need to develop our own renovation program. Latvia does not have one yet, so it is also an urgent task. What has not yet been done: in the spring, the ministry, public administrations and NGOs agreed to work together to achieve the goals and signed a memorandum. It is aimed at ensuring the availability of information on building renovation, increasing energy efficiency, and this is very little information available, ”said Vaidere.
The representative of the Ministry of Economics explained the reasons why the renovation of apartment buildings is not massive: “One of the first things, of course, is the availability of funds, or rather the unavailability, because the costs are relatively high.
At first, when you look at the numbers, they are very big and it scares people emotionally and psychologically and creates fear and insecurity about the decision.
Many people need to be very convinced of this step. Of course, it is the duty of the state to take care of and promote it, but at the same time it is the duty of every citizen who owns this property to take care of it, just like their car. ”
According to Inese Vaidere, Member of the European Parliament, various complex legal acts will be recast next year in order to reduce obstacles to the implementation of renovations.
It should be noted that the European Commission intends to create a new European “Bauhaus”, a cross-sectoral project to be co-managed by an advisory board of external experts. It will be made up of scientists, architects, designers, artists, planners and civil society.
The importance of this cross-sectoral project was emphasized by Commission President Leiena: “However, this is not just an ecological or economic project – it must become a new European cultural project. Every movement has its own essence, which is also manifested in the visual image. We want our intended systemic change to have its own, recognizable form in which style is combined with sustainability.
That’s why we will create a new European Bauhaus, a co-creation space where architects, artists, students, engineers and designers will work together to bring this image to life. ”
It is expected that by the summer of 2021, the European Commission will lead an extensive process of collective co-creation and then in 2022 will set up a network of five Bauhaus founders in different Member States.
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