12 June 2014
Energy renovation policy has only recently come onto the political agenda and is an emerging field. The Policy Tool for Renovation compares and analyses 12 current best-practice renovation policies for residential buildings from Europe and the United States, using 14 criteria that define a state-of-the-art policy package. The tool shows where positive steps have been taken, where other jurisdictions can learn from these actions and where there is scope for further progress to help countries and regions reduce the consumption of their building stock. Best-practice countries and jurisdictions featured in the GBPN Policy Tool for Renovation have set ambitious energy-saving targets and regulatory measures (overall national targets, residential building targets and public building targets).
The Clean Energy Solutions Center, in partnership with the Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN), hosted this webinar on the role of energy-saving targets and regulatory measures in renovation policy packages. Webinar participants discussed the importance of energy-saving targets and how they drive energy renovations.
Panelists
Yamina Saheb, Scientific & Technical Project Officer, DG Joint Research Centre, European Commission
Presentation
Dr. Yamina Saheb has 13 years of experience in buildings and appliances energy efficiency. She joined the International Energy Agency as the senior buildings expert in the Energy Efficiency and Environment Division where she heads the Sustainable Buildings Centre in February 2011. This role includes conducting research and analysis on the use of policy instruments to reduce energy consumption in the buildings sector. Prior to joining the IEA, she worked as an energy efficiency analyst for IFRI (Institut Francais des Relations Internationales). Previously, she worked as the Technical Director for the Collaborative Appliances Standard and Labeling Program (CLASP) and as the head of the Technical Department for Eurovent (an HVAC manufacturers’ organisation in the EU). Yamina holds a Ph.D in Energy Engineering and an Engineering degree in Buildings.
Peter Graham, Executive Director, GBPN
Dr. Peter Graham has been the Technical Advisor and past Coordinator of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative where he has developed and managed many of UNEP’s key projects and publications in the building sector. He comes to the GBPN from a position as Head of Discipline for Architecture and Design at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. In these roles, Peter worked closely with the public, civil and private sectors to assist the global transition to a sustainable building and construction industry.
Peter Bach, Chief Adviser, Danish Energy Authority
Presentation
Peter is strongly involved in formulation, implementation and evaluation of Danish energy efficiency policies and measures. He has been project manager for developing several new initiatives, action plans on energy efficiency and new legislation. Recently he has been involved in the development and management of the Danish scheme for energy efficiency obligation for energy utilities, and in the development of models and strategies for a Danish energy system, which are independent of fossil fuel in 2050. Peter has also been involved in international energy efficiency activities including negotiations of energy efficiency policies in EU as a representative for the Danish Government. Under the Danish EU Presidency in 2012, he was strongly involved in the negotiation of the new energy efficiency directive.
Ann Edminster, Chair, Trilateral Green Building Construction Task Force, Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Presentation
Ann Edminster is a leading expert on green homes, focusing on assisting design and building professionals in developing their capacity to create better buildings. Ann authored Energy Free: Homes for a Small Planet, a comprehensive guide for those seeking to create zero net energy (ZNE) homes; she teaches widely on both ZNE homes and integrated design and project delivery. She currently chairs the Green Building Task Force for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico’s Commission for Environmental Cooperation, which under her leadership has created an online green building library, conducted research and developed reports on “Models for Local Government Support,” “Enhancing Capabilities of the Green Workforce,” and “Financing Models and Opportunities” for green building. She also serves on the Board of the Net Zero Energy Home Coalition and chaired the inaugural Net Zero North American Leadership Summit last October. Ann was a principal developer of the LEED for Homes Rating System. In 2013 she was named ACI’s first Woman of the Year.
Jens Laustsen is Senior Policy Expert and Advisor, Global Buildings Performance Network
Presentation
Jens Laustsen is Senior Policy Expert and Advisor for the GBPN executive team. In the past, Jens led policy work for buildings at the International Energy Agency (IEA) developing recommendations for IEA countries, G8 and large emerging economies. Before joining the IEA, he developed building policies for the Danish government for more than a decade and worked as an architect for governments, international organizations and private companies. Jens is also an international consultant within policies and initiatives for deep energy retrofit, low energy construction and green global growth..
Sophie Shnapp, Policy Analyst, Global Buildings Performance Network
Presentation
Sophie Shnapp graduated from the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow) with a Master’s Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. During her studies, she made a strong contribution to several teams and committees in the fields of Climate Change and Sustainability, educating peers and schoolchildren on food, transport, water and waste. Her passions for energy efficiency, reducing GHG emissions, the construction of buildings and creating change have brought her to GBPN. Here, she joined our Global Research team as Policy Analyst and is working closely with Jens Laustsen.