SUstainable Building Renovation – Forming the Future (SURF)

European municipalities as drivers of the Renovation Wave

Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), Ae3R and Energiaklub implement the SURF project, funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI), to stimulate deep and sustainable building renovations by empowering municipal actors to foster and implement sustainable renovation projects. We are convinced that municipal decision-makers and professionals in cooperation with local stakeholders can trigger a paradigm shift in sustainable energy renovation from the ground up.

Background

The building sector is a key leverage point to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 36% of the CO2 emissions in the European Union originate from the building sector. Thus, the European Union aims at reaching a climate- neutral building stock in 2050, which is only possible through intensified renovations.

Although public buildings should act as role models for private sector renovations, renovation rates in Germany, Hungary, and Romania are significantly lagging behind the average annual renovation rate required by the European Commission.

Main elements of SURF

Transnational workshops: SURF brings together 2-4 forerunner municipalities in transnational workshops with municipalities from Germany, Hungary and Romania to learn from their experiences with best practices and successful concepts.
Online training: SURF addresses capacity gaps by providing a circular building training series as well as useful resources and guidelines.
SURF network: To amplify the impacts created, the project aims to establish the new transnational SURF network, to support the exchange of practical solution. EU-wide informal online “renovation lunches” and a conference will fill the SURF network with life to help connecting municipalities and build transnational partnerships.