The policy brief 'The beauty of what already exists: The contribution of renovation and repurposing to affordable energy-efficient homes' was prepared by a Knowledge Community of experts in energy and social policy, coordinated by the Green European Foundation. It sets out current housing investment trends and the challenges linked to energy efficiency in the building sector.

According to the document, the residential building stock in Europe presents a significant opportunity for enhancing energy performance, as inefficient buildings lead to higher energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. The brief outlines that improved building envelopes, heating and cooling systems, and integrated energy-management measures are necessary components of the overall strategy.

It further notes that financing mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and renovation programmes will need to align more closely with energy-efficiency objectives in the building sector. The housing policy brief emphasises that deep renovation of existing buildings and new construction meeting higher performance standards are key to reducing energy demand within housing.

Consult the full report to gain a detailed understanding of the relationship between housing policies and energy efficiency in the European building sector, as well as the measures proposed to improve the performance of the building stock.