Energy efficiency in the sustainable refurbishment of high-rise residential buildings: mapping out an integrated policy approach

Abstract

In the context of pressing and frequently conflicting environmental, economic and social policy objectives, energy efficiency investment is repeatedly found to be a cost-effective component of energy policies reconcilable with these objectives. High-rise residential buildings are a particularly salient issue in this regard as their poor energy efficiency is regarded as a “moderate” to “major” problem by 18 out of 27 housing ministries who responded to a Europe-wide survey [PRC, 2004]. Yet no previous research exists on the Europe-wide picture of the potential for energy efficiency improvement in high-rise buildings, nor on ways to achieve this potential. Taking into account the present EU (25 nations) plus Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey (the three being considered for accession to the EU), this article — based on research funded by the International Energy Agency and the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings - briefly illustrates the scope for increased energy efficiency in high-rise buildings and the benefits investment in energy efficiency in these buildings can provide, including the cost-effectiveness and CO 2 mitigation cost of this investment. Following this assessment of the current situation and potential, and based on a map of the political, economic, social and legal opportunities for and barriers to financing and implementing the necessary energy efficiency investment, policy steps are identified and proposed which form the integrated policy approach needed to exploit the energy-saving potential in this sector.