RURENER European conference in Tirano (Italy). March 2010. Conclusions of workshop 2 on energy efficiency in buildings

1. Conclusions of Workshop 2 : how to make the most of your public buildings in terms of energy efficiency?

2. Moderator : Jean-Louis Coutarel, architect and teacher at the National School of Architecture in Clermont-Ferrand Participants :

3. Key proposals at 3 levels What should be changed in the population's mind? What should be changed in the local authorities actions? What should be changed at the national/regional levels?

4. What should be changed in the population's mind? Change the minds first, then change the buildings : changing behaviours will bring quick improvement in the energy consumption, whatever the insulation or improvement in buildings is. Educate, get awareness among the users, children and adults so that they behave in public buildings as they would do at home. Change the behaviour of users of public buildings could bring almost to the objective of energy neutrality! Local authorities have a role to demonstrate and raise awareness in this topic!

5. What should be changed in the local authorities action? When programming a building, anticipate what has to be taken into account to improve its energy efficiency (bioclimatic principles, compacity of the building, gather together several buildings or services, public/private operations, encourage renewable and energy efficient materials, …) Encourage the employees of local authorities to measure and monitor the energy consumption of public buildings. This would help both for reducing the consumption and collect data for the energetic neutrality. Use local materials and know-how on local material whenever it is possible and relevant. It will bring welfare locally and strenghten local capacity. The added value locally is a key for sustainable local development, in addition to the quality of the building itself!

6. What should be changed at the national/regional levels Simplify and make appliable laws : application of the laws should be driven at the local level to avoid a gap between the law and its applicability Increase taxes on fossil fuel so that public and private users do not hesitate to invest in renewables