Building Decarbonisation Partnership Moves Forward in Defining Key Focus Areas
In its latest meetings, on 18 February and 18 March, partners engaged in collaborative exercises to explore priority areas based on their expertise and interests, setting the stage for more focused discussions in the coming months.
The second partnership meeting on 18 February centred on gaining insights from the Ex-Ante Assessment (EAA), which outlines key challenges and opportunities for building decarbonisation. In a collaborative exercise, partners were asked to share topics of interest linked to each EAA focus area: district and neighbourhood approaches to renovation, integrated renovation programmes of spatially related buildings, future energy system design that supports decarbonisation of buildings, and increasing the cost-effectiveness of renovations.
The third partnership meeting on 18 March built upon these discussions by clustering topics of interest through a co-creative session. Using interactive tools, participants worked together to categorise their expertise and key priorities, identifying overarching themes such as:
- Multi-level governance in heating and cooling strategies
- Heat pump readiness
- Citizen engagement in decarbonisation efforts and people-centred approaches
- Vertical and horizontal integration among governmental bodies
- Integrated renovation programs
- Financial solutions for large-scale renovations
- The role of innovative business models
- Digital tools in accelerating progress.
These exercises are helping to progressively narrow down the Partnership’s focus areas, ensuring that future actions align with the expertise and interests of those involved.
Looking Ahead!
Looking ahead, the partnership will continue refining these themes during its first in-person meeting, scheduled for 26-27 May in Mechelen, Belgium. Participants will further develop strategies that address key challenges and explore potential pathways for implementation.
As the Partnership moves forward, upcoming EU funding opportunities, including the EU LIFE programme’s call for proposals expected on 24 April, could offer financial support for future initiatives. The next online meeting on 14 April will provide another opportunity to refine priorities before the Mechelen gathering.
With ongoing collaboration and shared expertise, the Building Decarbonisation Partnership continues to take important steps toward defining actionable solutions for a more sustainable built environment.