The building sector is the largest energy consumer in the Mediterranean area. Most buildings are energy inefficient as lack of interventions over time have led to increase annual energy consumption and CO2 emissions. To tackle these common challenges, SOLE supports cost-effective and innovative energy rehabilitations of public buildings.

Through knowledge sharing on energy rehabilitation, the partners will define local plans adapted to each of the participating territories where pilot actions will be implemented. Besides these pilots, in order to reduce building energy consumption, SOLE will also intervene at two levels. First, by encouraging behavioral change in people, inspired by an Interreg experience (REBUS project). Secondly, by impacting on local policies through lobbying and advocacy to integrate the pilots´ results in relevant policy frameworks.

Objective

To develop joint strategies supporting cost-effective and innovative energy rehabilitations of public buildings in seven Mediterranean countries via pilot actions, by promoting technical knowledge sharing and capacity building for behavioural change to improve energy performance and developing local and joint policy recommendations for energy renovations of public building, replicable in other Mediterranean areas.

What will be improved?

SOLE´s partners share common challenges such as climate conditions, building stock characteristics and energy consumption. There is a need for a public driven approach to plan and implement sustainable energy policies and action plans. Through its activities, the project will contribute to increase the penetration of renewable energies in the energy mix, improve people´s behaviours in energy use and support policy reforms in the rehabilitation of public buildings and energy efficiency.

Who will benefit?

• 120 public authorities at local, regional and national levels (associations of municipalities)
• 60 among energy agencies and energy providers
• 250 associations representing business in the construction sector (construction renovation companies, Energy Service Companies ESCOs, architects, engineering companies …)
• 10 scientific community, research and academic organisations
• Market (Green Technologies sector) and job and professional seekers

Expected achievements

• Increased share of renewable sources in the energy mix by c.a 300.000 kWh
• Reduced emissions from public buildings by c.a 130 tons CO2/year 
• Economic savings due to reduced energy consumption 
• 7 pilot actions implemented to rehabilitate public buildings 
• 7 policy reports 
• 1 cross-border policy recommendations report

Contribution to policy-making

Through its capitalization activities, SOLE will seek to influence policy-makers in charge of the energy sector at two levels: local and Mediterranean. At a local level, it will integrate the results of the pilot actions and behavioural change campaign into existing policies or at least taking them into account in defining new policies. At a wider level, integrating SOLE results into cross-border recommendations with the aim to deliver a strategic vision and a set of actions designed to influence and determine all major decisions and actions concerning green building rehabilitation.

Start date: 10 July 2020 - End date: 9 July 2023