The building sector accounts for almost 35 percent of final energy consumption in Germany. This also means: buildings nationwide must become significantly more energy-efficient if the targets of the energy transition are to be achieved. The Federal Government has stated that the building sector should be largely climate-neutral by 2050. This means that the rate of annual refurbishments needs to more than double from under one, to at least two percent – which represents a significant rise.
Buildings – an underestimated factor
So far, the importance of buildings has frequently been marginalised in the debate on energy transition. In order to change this situation and consistently advocate energy efficiency in the building sector, dena founded the Alliance for Building Energy Efficiency (geea).
A single voice in politics
For the first time, this a cross-sectoral alliance succeeded in bringing key stakeholders from industry, research, skilled trades, planning, commerce, energy supply and financing to the table in order to discuss issues of energy-efficiency and the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings. In its policy papers, geea includes the main points of agreement reached between the important market representatives in the areas of property and energy. The alliance gives these actors a single voice in its close dealings with politicians and stakeholders.
Improved conditions for energy efficiency
geea holds that circumspect energy policies must seek to improve the conditions for energy efficiency in buildings. After all, the success of the energy transition will depend significantly on the correct policy decisions in the individual energy sectors. This is why geea submits clear policy recommendations in addition to its targeted activities to promote greater energy efficiency in the building sector.
geea believes that there is an urgent need to create a simple and standardised regulatory framework, to ensure sufficient compensatory funding and to develop additional innovative and effective market and communication tools. Exemplary projects include the geea-initiated campaign “The Building Transition” or the action group launched by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy “Germany does it efficiently”.
