BPIE: Europe's buildings under the microscope - PU Europe

D. Other Programmes
The BPIE 2011 survey did not directly survey other policy instruments beyond the regulatory building
codes and financial programmes. Primarily, the measures concern various aspects of information:
awareness programmes, training, specialised publications, networks and information exchange. There
are also research and development programmes at both the national, EU and international levels.
Information
Appropriate information to consumers, decision makers, the energy service sector, architects, distributors
and others in the energy efficiency field ensures that more of the cost-effective potential is achieved.
There is a wide range of information programmes throughout the region and the number of programmes
has expanded significantly in recent years. Information programmes cover a large spectrum from mass
media campaigns, information centres, training, technical manuals and brochures, labelling and energy
audits. They can be used for awareness creation or for providing detailed information to various actors:
consumers, equipment operators/technicians, managers of building complexes, engineers, architects
and decision makers.
Awareness creation is often considered key because many consumers have little understanding of
the cost-effective potential for improvements for energy efficiency or of the techniques to make such
improvements. Awareness creation is also important for service providers (e.g. auditors) to show the
market potential available. All Member States are active in awareness creation.
One rather recent addition to help in information sharing is the European portal for energy efficiency
in buildings, BUILD UP (www.buildup.eu) funded by the European Commission. It is for buildings
professionals, local authorities and citizens. The BUILD UP web portal brings together new practitioners
and professional associations while motivating them to exchange best working practices and knowledge
and to transfer tools and resources.
Training
When first introduced in 2002 the EPBD recognised that new approaches to buildings performance were
going to be needed. The recast of the EPBD, approved in 2010, increased the need for new approaches
that would require improving the capacity of a wide range of people. For new buildings, architects and
designers would need to learn to integrate latest thinking to maximise performance. This is particularly
true for the nearly Zero Energy Buildings that will be required by December 31, 2018 for public buildings
and December 31, 2020 for all buildings – residential and non-residential. Strategies need to be developed
by Member States and these have to be submitted to the Commission in early 2012.
The recast Directive makes several references to the importance of training. Furthermore, the Energy
Efficiency Plan published by the Commission in March 2011 states:
There is a clear lack of appropriate training (e.g. for architects, engineers, auditors, craftsmen, technicians
and installers). Energy efficient building solutions are often technically demanding and put high
knowledge requirements on the parties involved. Today, about 1.1 million qualified workers are available,
while 2.5 million will be needed by 2015 in order to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and
better integrate renewable energy technologies. The lack of a qualified workforce leads to sub-optimal
renovation or installation of appliances – hence it is essential that the right skills are available; major
training and qualification efforts will be required.
The European Commission, through its Intelligent Energy Europe programme, is providing support for
training programmes.
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