Public support for climate protection in Germany’s building sector is declining

Public support for climate protection efforts in Germany‘s building sector is declining, a new study undertaken by BuVEG – Bundesverband energieeffiziente Gebäudehülle, the German association for energy-efficient buildings, has found.

Just 15.4% of respondents to a BuVEG survey identified the building sector as an area requiring greater emissions reduction efforts, compared to 28.5% that cited the transport sector, and 27.1% that mentioned industry.

Other sectors cited by respondents as requiring greater emissions reduction included the energy sector (12.9%), and agriculture (12.7%), while just over two fifths (42%) said that no sector was in need of increased emissions reduction efforts.

‘Particularly in the building sector, there is a wide gap between public awareness and the actual need for improvement,’ BuVeg commented.

‘Ambitious strategy’ needed

“This development is alarming,” commented Jan Peter Hinrichs, managing director of BuVEG. “Regarding the future viability of existing buildings, a great deal of damage has unfortunately been done in recent years.

“An ambitious strategy for energy-efficient renovations would not only help climate protection, but is also a crucial factor for property value and protects residents from high energy costs. With its new initiative regarding the Building Energy Act, the federal government now has the opportunity not only to provide clarity and predictability, but also to de-ideologise building policy.”

Lowest energy-efficiency classes

According to BuVEG, around 30% of German buildings are currently in the lowest energy efficiency classes, with these buildings in turn responsible for approximately 40% of the country’s total CO₂ emissions. The current renovation rate for buildings stands at 0.7% per year, which is far below the 2% rate considered necessary to achieve climate goals.

‘The enormous savings potential of energy-efficient buildings continues to be greatly underestimated,’ BuVEG noted.

BuVEG’s survey was carried out in conjunction with research firm Civey between 3 and 5 November, and surveyed 5,000 adults aged 18 and over. Read more here.