The debate surrounding the Fridays for Future movement and the German climate goals for 2030 is currently reaching its peak. The so-called climate cabinet, ministers with responsibilities in key climate policy fields, will present their plans for new measures connected to the pending Climate Protection Law, which was first presented by the Ministry of Environment in February 2019.

Since effective climate protection is only possible with targeted measures for the buildings sector, ambitious binding requirements for both existing and new buildings are necessary. Sustainable building renovation, a near-zero energy standard for new buildings and the prevention of an expansion of sealed surfaces have to be the basis of a climate policy package for the building sector.

The buildings which are being built or renovated today will most probably not undergo deep renovation again before 2050. Measures and instruments must therefore have a long term effect and be reliable in helping to reach the climate protection goals. In order to achieve this, an overall concept is necessary, which brings together existing as well as new measures in the buildings sector. This overall concept has to be reflected in the Climate Protection Act and in the measures supporting it and it also needs to lead to the proper implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2018/844/EU) and the long term renovation strategies which are a part of it.

“Efficiency First” must remain the guiding principle and renewable energies should only be used after efficiency measures have been fully exploited. This secures an optimal interaction of both climate protection approaches. In addition, the government must serve as an example and set the right framework: the energetic worst buildings and the public building stock must be retrofitted as a priority.