Without a deep and comprehensive ‘renovation wave’ across Europe, the EU will not be able to meet its climate ambitions. That’s because the building sector is both the largest single energy consumer in Europe, and because 80% of today’s buildings will still be standing in 2050.

Given these twin reasons, Eurocities’ new position paper supports calls to increase the rate at which European buildings are currently being renovated – to at least 3% per year. Moreover, contends the cities network, such a scenario brings cause célèbre for a double ‘win’: renovating more buildings can create jobs, and by making buildings more energy efficient, can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Discover the EUROCITIES policy paper on the Renovation Wave with some considerations from the Cities members on how to make the Renovation Wave work in practice at the local level.