As part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, Green Building Councils from 13 countries including Spain, Sweden and Ireland are banding together to renovate existing buildings which currently account for more than one third of the EU’s total CO2 emissions.
The €2.35 million Build Upon programme will bring together governments, industry business and civil society to introduce 80 events across Europe that will create long-term plans to renovate households and commercial buildings to high energy efficiency standards.
World Green Building Council chief executive Terri Wills said: “Existing buildings are one of Europe’s biggest challenges when it comes to tackling climate change. We can turn that challenge into a solution, but need nothing short of a renovation revolution.”