Belgium Renovates for Energy Efficient Living

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The energy use of Belgian houses is 70% higher than the European average, showing the enormous potential for energy saving and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. Renovation strategies for the Flemish and Wallonia regions are targeting over 4.1 million homes, representing 14% of the total GHG-emissions for Belgium in 2015. In both regions, the housing stock is old, with poor average energy performance and standards for comfort, health and safety below current housing legislation. In this regard, there is a need for interregional cooperation, and synergies among the Belgian authorities and stakeholders, to support new collective renovation and retrofitting policies. This approach would act as a catalyst for both socially and economically beneficial climate-friendly development. Moreover, energy-efficient renovation of the Belgian housing stock is crucial in the framework of the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) and for reaching Belgiums climate and energy targets in the EU 2030 climate and energy framework. For Flanders, the Energy Renovation Programme 2020 will be continued by the Renovation Pact, with goals until 2050. Walloons building renovation strategy provides goals for 2020, 2030 and 2050.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of LIFE IP CA 16 BE-REEL! is to create the conditions for the full implementation of the strategic housing renovation plans of Flanders and Wallonia regions in Belgium.

More specifically, the project aims to:

Establish a framework for the implementation of regional strategies;

Develop, evaluate, refine and demonstrate the most appropriate structural measures for long-term increases in renovation rates and improved energy performance of all existing residential buildings by 2050;

Design and implement innovative technical concepts and tools for renovating and retrofitting buildings, along with financial instruments, that can be replicated, transferred and mainstreamed;

Improve knowledge and capacity inside the Flemish and Walloon administrations, and for all stakeholders and authorities involved. The project will support capacity building and training, and produce guidelines for the construction sector;

Enhance cooperation with stakeholders, administrations and local authorities through roadmap exercises, networking, best practices learning and collaborations;

Create synergies between the Flemish and Walloon regions, and also with the Brussels Capital Region, in the framework of a learning network, with the aim of capacity building, avoiding the duplication of effort and creating more coherent policy; and

Develop and implement a communication and marketing strategy.

The BE-REEL! demonstration actions undertaken in the participating cities of Ghent, Antwerp, Mechelen, Mouscron and La Louvire will directly contribute to the implementation of the sustainable energy and climate action plans (SECAPs) pioneering the transition to a low carbon society (Covenant of Mayors). In the longer term, the project aims to influence the low-emission strategies of all cities and communities in Flanders and Wallonia, as well as the Brussels Capital Region.

In addition to the budget of the project itself the project will facilitate the coordinated use of more than 700 000 000 complementary funding from EU Interreg, EU EFRO, Horizon 2020, regional and municipal fund. Parallel complementary actions will further serve the 2050 goals of the respective strategic plans in Wallonia and Flanders, through new policy and financial instruments as well as accelerated synergies with other fields such as employment, education, housing, taxation, environment and land use.

Expected results:

Increased number of innovative technologies, systems and instruments and/or best practice solution for reduction of GHG emissions;

A significant increase in the number of regions/cities/sectors applying integrated approaches with support of the project or replicating the results of the project; and

Strengthened climate change mitigation management and governance, including the level of involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities and stakeholders at local, regional and national level.

The demonstration and pilot actions will lead to more than 8000 renovated dwellings. The direct GHG emission reductions due to all the project actions will amount to over 18 600 tonnes of CO2 per year. In the long run, the goal of the strategies is to renovate all existing housing, achieving a reduction of 75-80% of CO2 emissions and energy use by 2050.