Date: February 2017

 

The National Renovation Strategy was introduced in 2014 to define a long-term strategy for stimulating energy efficiency renovation of the building sector. In accordance with the Energy Efficiency Directive, this Strategy must be updated and strengthened every three years. 

 

To this end, the Irish Green Building Council, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment, undertook a comprehensive consultation process with key stakeholders over the past year. 

As a major research project in the areas energy efficiency, and realising the importance of evidence-based public policy, the nZEB-RETROFIT team actively engaged in the Strategy consultation. 

 

We are very glad to note that the value of our research has been recognised in the final recommendations: 

“[…] community-based approaches and local champions (e.g. local authorities and energy agencies) have a key role to play too. Research conducted by the nZEB-RETROFIT team in NUI Galway on rural one-off household’s motivations for involvement in a renovation scheme found that formal and informal community networks are vital. The power of word of mouth and local champions should not be underestimated as people tend to trust their neighbours and local community more. High quality local case studies and open house type events should be developed and organised across the country.”

 

The IGBC’s final recommendations for the National Renovation Strategy V2 are available here .