Thursday, 22nd September: The Irish Green Building Council launches 10 proposals for a better new national renovation strategy and invites feedback.
Pat Barry, CEO, Irish Green Building Council presented today a set of recommendations for the next national renovation strategy to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten T.D.
Each of the first six months of 2016 set a record as the warmest respective month globally in the modern temperature record. In Ireland, June 2016 marked the 14th consecutive month of record-breaking heat. Ireland’s climate targets mean that emissions from buildings, transport and agriculture must be reduced.
Against this background, the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment organised a series of workshops on large scale deep-renovation across Ireland in April – June 2016. Over 150 stakeholders including senior representatives from government, local authorities, industry, academia and charities participated in these events. Deep renovation essentially means medium to large scale building works that improve the energy efficiency of the building and comfort of the building occupiers.
Based on key workshop findings, the IGBC launched today a “Declaration in 10 points for a better national renovation strategy and an efficient implementation plan”. Particular recommendations include the adoption of a long-term holistic approach, higher investment, more targeted awareness campaigns and better support for citizens and organisation undertaking deep building renovation.
The workshops were organised as part of the EU funded “Build Upon” project. The aim of Build Upon is to bring together a diverse range of organisations to support government in designing an ambitious new national renovation strategy for Ireland. The strategy is required by 30 April 2017 under EU law.
Talking at this morning launch, Pat Barry, CEO at the IGBC explained: “Build Upon is a collaborative process. It has allowed a broad range of stakeholders to work together in an innovative way on an initial set of recommendations. The IGBC is now inviting comments from interested parties to refine these recommendations to make sure the strategy can best help to deliver a fully decarbonised built environment that ensures a better living and working environment for all Irish citizens”.
Minister Denis Naughten said: “Investing to upgrade our homes and workplaces is in everyone’s interest. Upgrading our buildings makes them more energy efficient which reduces our energy need and spend. Importantly, cutting our energy needs reduces harmful emissions which is required if we are to meet the challenging climate change targets to safeguard our future. I welcome the work the IGBC is doing to identify how we can encourage and facilitate more renovation.”
A copy of the “Declaration in 10 points for a better national renovation strategy and an efficient implementation plan” can be downloaded at www.buildupon.eu/ireland. The consultation is open till Wednesday, 28th September and will be followed by a second series of workshops that will take place across Ireland between October 2016 and January 2017. Organisations interested in learning more about the process should contact [email protected].
