The European Union has entered a decisive phase in delivering its building decarbonisation agenda while placing affordable housing at the centre of its future investment strategy.
Following the adoption of the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Member States must translate ambitious renovation objectives into investment-ready programmes through their National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs), while ensuring households can access affordable finance for energy renovations.
This roundtable will bring together senior policymakers, financial institutions, industry leaders and experts to examine how innovative energy-efficiency financing mechanisms in Ireland and across Europe can be maximised and connected to help deliver the EPBD’s renovation objectives.
Particular attention will be given to how national initiatives, financial institutions and EU-level instruments can work together to mobilise investment at scale.
European Renovation Loan
The proposed European Renovation Loan (ERL) offers a potential framework for connecting existing financing mechanisms and increasing investment in residential energy renovation.
The ERL could combine:
- EU budget guarantees
- European Investment Bank (EIB) financing
- National promotional banks
- Commercial lenders
- Targeted grant support
The roundtable will explore how such an approach could help mobilise private investment while providing affordable, long-term renovation finance for homeowners, particularly low- and middle-income households.
Discussion will also consider the potential of an “EU Financial Instrument as a Service” model to provide a harmonised yet nationally adaptable approach across Member States.
What will the discussion explore?
The roundtable will consider:
- How existing national financing mechanisms can be built upon rather than creating parallel structures
- How public support, EIB/EIF guarantees and commercial lending can be better connected
- Lessons from innovative residential energy-efficiency financing in Ireland and other EU Member States
- How financing mechanisms can support the development of a dynamic residential energy-renovation market
- How the proposed European Renovation Loan could support investment at scale
- How Ireland’s experience can inform the next phase of EU renovation-finance policy
- The role of financing in supporting affordable housing and accelerating building decarbonisation
Ireland and the European Context
Ireland provides a relevant example of how public and private finance can be combined to support residential energy efficiency, bringing together Irish Government support, EIB/EIF guarantees and commercial lenders.
Examining how these mechanisms operate in practice can provide useful insights into how renovation finance could be scaled across Europe.
Taking place one day ahead of Renovate Europe Day 2026 in Dublin, this roundtable will provide an opportunity to connect Irish experience with developments across other Member States and contribute to the wider discussion on financing the EU’s renovation objectives.
Written conclusions from the roundtable are expected to be made available to the European Commission and stakeholders of Renovate Europe Day 2026.
Selected Speakers
Peter Sweatman, CEO, Climate Strategy & Partners
Adrian Joyce, Director, Renovate Europe Campaign
Colin Moran, Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI)
Yvonne McCarthy, Group Head of Sustainability Research, AIB
Sinead Kelly, Decarbonisation / Energy Transition Tax Lead, PwC
Marco Angheben, Head of Business Development & Regulatory Affairs, ENGAGE Project Coordinator
Elaine Mackey, Head of Product Management – Homebuying, Bank of Ireland
Robert Nuij, Head of Unit B3 – Buildings and Products, DG ENER, European Commission
Marion Jammet, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Irish Green Building Council (IGBC)
Who should attend?
This roundtable is aimed at IGBC members and members of the finance community, particularly those working on:
- Residential energy efficiency
- Home renovation
- Sustainable finance
- Building decarbonisation
- Energy policy and investment
- Housing and affordable housing
- Renovation finance
This event takes place one day before Renovate Europe Day 2026 in Dublin, providing an opportunity for finance, policy and built-environment stakeholders to connect ahead of the conference.
