Brussels Witnesses Four Days of Insightful Discussions During Renovation Week Organised by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU
In a four-day initiative from January 15 to 18, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU orchestrated the Renovation Week in Brussels, delving into critical discussions and thematic panels. The event gained significant relevance as, on January 15, Members of the European Parliament from the Industry & Energy committee endorsed the political agreement on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, emphasizing the urgency of addressing EU renovation challenges. The sessions covered various aspects, from labor and skills to the transition to sustainable buildings, with a specific focus on materials aimed at minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. The pivotal role of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in driving renovations across the EU was a key topic, and four Member States shared insights on leveraging EPCs to estimate financial needs and monitor the results of renovation measures. The discussions also highlighted the crucial role of EPCs in incentivizing renovation actions, foreseeing enhancements with the introduction of Renovation passports under the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
The third day of the Renovation Week honed in on materials as central to the shift toward sustainable buildings. Morning sessions delved into discussions on reducing the carbon footprint of materials and the imperative to develop guidelines on whole-life cycle assessment for buildings. Afternoon site visits throughout Brussels showcased successful and sustainable renovations, such as the transformation of a garage into a future workplace for university students at Usquare in the Ixelles neighborhood. Attention was also directed towards the recycling of glazing from demolished windows, repurposed for internal partitions in a new building.
The Renovation Week demonstrated the Belgian Presidency’s commitment to the issue, with further materialization expected through the adoption of the EPBD political agreement at the ministerial level in the coming months.
Source: Glass for Europe with additional information added by GlassBalkan