The aim of the Build with Care project is to mainstream energy-efficient building design by raising the awareness and increasing the knowledge of the potential of energy savings. In collaboration with the building sector, a transnational strategy for increasing energy efficiency in buildings will be developed. Within the project, an education and information programme will be carried out to change behaviour in the complete building chain (from consumer to planner, from carpenter to architect); this will aid in setting up a transnational knowledge and information network.
Duration
01/08/2008 - 31/03/2012
Priority
4 - Promoting Sustainable and Competitive Communities
Area of Intervention
4.3 Promoting energy efficiency in settlements
ERDF Grant
3,709,876.00 €
ERDF Equivalent
0.00
Total Eligible Budget
7,419,752.00 €
Lead Beneficiary
Västra Götalandsregionen Miljösekretariatet, Sweden Lave Thorell lave.thorell@vgregion.se Tel: +46 521 275 863
ZEBAU Zentrum für Energie, Bauen, Architektur und Umwelt
Bremer Energie-Konsens GmbH
Stadt Oldenburg
United Kingdom
Aberdeen City Council
Dundee College
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
University of East Anglia
West Suffolk College
The Netherlands
Gemeente Groningen
Provincie Groningen
Gemeente Noord-Beveland
Background and Aim
Aim The aim of the Build with CaRe (BwC) project is to mainstream energy-efficient building design. It will take the necessary steps, in collaboration with the building sector, to develop a transnational strategy for increasing energy efficiency in building. The core message of BwC is that energy efficiency is no longer an ‘if-question', but a ‘how-question'.
BwC aims to pave the way for a sustainable integrated international market for energy efficient building. Therefore the project will improve the competitiveness of the NSR and will stimulate different clusters to keep in a leading position on sustainable building techniques and technologies.
BwC will engage national and regional policy makers, influencing EU, national, regional and local policy developments and help deliver regional energy-efficiency strategies.
BwC will focus on the marketing of energy efficient buildings to meet carbon reduction commitments. It will provide the partners the place and tools for importing and exchanging knowledge and experiences, including networks of professionals, new ideas, latest insights, best practices and critical reviews of local actions.
BwC aims at a better horizontal and vertical integration and lead to further coherence in policy and planning activities.
Background The challenge to reduce human impact on climate change is strongly prioritized by the EU.
In support of its efficiency goals the EU issued in 2007 a Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) which states ‘we need to fully harness (...) public policy and market-based instruments to manage demand and create new markets', also ‘Low carbon technologies in general remain expensive and face market penetration obstacles'. Accordingly the EU is drafting a strategy for low or zero emission buildings and preparing to introduce new energy standards for buildings in 2009.
Buildings account for 40% of EU's energy consumption. Success in energy efficiency in this sector is key to achieving the EU's goals.
The NSR is in the technological vanguard and there are many activities which specifically aim to increase energy efficiency in the built environment that have been tried, tested and proven over more than 15 years. Proven techniques have resulted in both lower energy consumption and higher comfort of living. The task of energy reduction in building is not new in the NSR, but our challenge is large scale implementation. We have to facilitate, stimulate and strengthen the market in order to go from a few "good examples" to energy efficient design as mainstream.
Expected Outcomes
Demonstration objects of low energy buildings in the NSR, University of Anglia, Arts Centre, Nature Reserve Visitor Centre. The aim is to mainstream energy-efficient building design. The demonstration objects will show examples of low energy buildings in each region as transnational demonstration objects. Promotion of design with positive input ventilation systems integral to heating and cooling that will provide healthy door environments. BwC will contribute to the preparation of a new EU building directive in 2008/2009.
Analysis on transnational level of energy efficiency of building designs, incl. life-cycle carbon impact analysis relating to components, system, methodologies and design approaches,
Local and regional strategies to deliver energy efficient building for the NSR,
Skills trainings, education packages for craftsmen on how to produce energy-efficient housing. An extensive transnational education and information programme will be carried out to change behaviour in the complete building,
Influence debate on forthcoming EU directive on energy building.
April - September 2010
During this reporting period the North Sea Commission adopted the Build with CaRe policy statement. It will now be forwarded to the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR). The policy statement was also used in a revised version to answer the EU consultation on the Energy Strategy 2020.
It provided input to the Build with CaRe communication work and it served as a base for several consultations on national level (such as a response to the Renewable Heat Incentive proposed by the UK). Provincie Groningen has been negotiating with the national government to find a solid and legal basis to implement the ambitions to lower the Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). In the beginning of 2009, this led to an agreement with the national government to implement the lower Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) from midterm 2010. Currently, the required legislation is being drawn up.
In addition, the European Commission has adopted a revised version of the European Performance of Building Directive (EPBD). This directive is of great importance to the development of energy efficient buildings and the Build with CaRe partnership is very active in the debate that has followed on national level.
October 2009 - March 2010
The overall objective of all work executed within Build with CaRe is to lower the energy consumption in the building sector. This work contributes to the European 2020 climate goals as well as national, regional and local energy saving targets. The demonstration projects in East Flanders and Aberdeen are good examples, showing that it is possible to combine nice architecture, functionality and energy efficiency.
In addition, a regional example on policy is Pronincie Grooningen that has contributed to the national debate by piloting a project in the Northern Netherlands with stricter energy demands in new buildings than national regulation states. Regional Västra Götaland is active in the dialogue with national authorities on national policies and standards. WP3 leader Aberdeen City Council has together with Build with CaRe partners developed a policy paper titled "The challenge of mainstreaming energy efficient buildings in the North Sea Region and the significance of existing building stock".
In March 2010 this paper was presented to the North Sea Commission's Sustainable Development Thematic Group who voted to support it. The paper will now be presented to the North Sea Commission's Executive Committee in June for adoption. If adopted it will then be forwarded to the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR) for their support.
April - September 2009
Build with CaRe is a European partnership that aims to mainstream energy efficient building design in the North Sea Region. Important activities within the second reporting period include transnational meetings and study tours, demonstration projects, promotion and communication, new media productions, exhibitions, conferences, development of learning material, planning new areas with energy efficiency, influencing national policy and collecting evidence to justify mainstreaming energy efficient buildings.
One of the major outputs so far has been the contribution to the national debate by a piloting project in the northern part of the Netherlands with stricter energy demands in new buildings than national regulation states. In terms of publicity, the project has launched a web-based film production by Region Västra Götaland, which is currently participating in the European Commission's ICT for energy efficiency Award.
Until March 2009
The project works with sustainable home construction techniques, aiming to mainstreaming energy efficient buiding design in the North Sea Region.
Important activities within the first reporting period include transnational meetings, demonstration projects, expert exchanges, promotion and communication activities, participation at events, developing of new teaching material, planning areas with energy efficiency, influencing national policy and collecting evidence to justify mainstreaming energy efficient buildings.
The project and the issues along with it could stimulate a new industry for rural and peripheral regions: construction / renovation of homes that adapt to the needs of the older aged population.
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