Promotion of near zero CO2 emission buildings due to energy use, ZEROCO2

October 2021 - March 2023

ZEROCO2

https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/zeroco2/

It is estimated that buildings contribute as much as one third of total European Union greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through the use of fossil fuels and natural gas to cover heating, cooling and electricity needs of buildings. To address energy and climate related issues, the European Commission (EC) has set the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 %, increasing the share of renewables in the EU's energy mix to 20 % and achieving the 20 % energy efficiency target by 2020. With Directive 2012 / 27 /EU Energy Efficiency produces a breakthrough in European policies. The objectives and tools of intervention and verification oblige member countries to immediately adopt a clear strategy for the improvement of the performances of the buildings. The EU Directive proposes that after 2020 all new buildings must be zero energy buildings and those buildings will also be Near zero CO2 emission buildings due to energy use (NZCO2EB). Although there has been much recent focus on measures to reduce the emissions from new buildings, the existing buildings tock remains largely untouched and many refurbishment projects miss opportunities to reduce emissions and deliver low CO2 buildings.

The concept behind ZEROCO2 project is:

• Exchange of status quo of current situation on the existing regional legislation, their limitations and challenges and their prospects for change
• SWOT analysis with a focus on COVID-19 impact with the support of regional stakeholders
• Identification and sharing of measures that address programs targeting energy efficiency, sustainability and use of RES as part of COVID-19 recovery with focus on deep renovation of buildings
• Exchange of experiences, with the identification and elaboration of good practice examples on the approaches used in regions to implement the new directive and EU norms in the reginal policies