Supporting a culture of sustainable rehabilitation 

In Spain, 80% of buildings and homes receive an energy rating of E, F, or G. In other words, eight out of ten buildings exhibit alarming construction inefficiency, according to the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE). This situation not only threatens our real estate stock with obsolescence but also hinders our climate goals and limits citizens’ well-being, as they face higher energy bills and less comfortable homes.

Why should this concern us? The construction and maintenance of buildings are responsible for 37% of global carbon emissions. Moreover, as highlighted by the new European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), “emissions not related to building use” could account for up to 41% of the sector’s emissions in Europe by 2050. This means that the way we build and renovate today will define the environmental footprint of future generations.

Given this reality, Spain faces a major challenge: we need to multiply the volume of energy renovations by five, reaching 120,000 homes per year, in line with the objectives of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.

One of the key drivers of change in this reality came in 2020 with the approval of the Long-Term Strategy for Energy Renovation in the Building Sector in Spain (ERESSE), which aimed to promote building renovations at a much higher rate than the current one.

Later, the introduction of the aid program for the comprehensive renovation of residential buildings and homes, funded by the European Union’s Next Generation funds, presented a major opportunity, with substantial financial resources allocated to residential building renovations.

However, bureaucracy, lack of information, and homeowners’ unawareness of the benefits of renovation have slowed progress. Still, last year, Spain’s building sector recorded its best figures since 2019. The approved floor area for new construction and renovation increased by 7% compared to 2023 and by 5% compared to 2019, reaching 35,317,479 m², according to the Spanish Council of Architects’ Associations (CSCAE). But we must not settle for this figure—the goal is much higher.

From my point of view, the issue is not just technical or financial—it is cultural. In Spain, we need to foster a true culture of energy rehabilitation. Too often, we see building renovations as an expense rather than an investment in energy savings, comfort, and property value appreciation. Even more concerning, we fail to recognize that renovation is also one of the most effective strategies for decarbonizing our economy and protecting the planet.

Decarbonizing the built environment is the primary challenge we face. To achieve this, various regulations have been proposed to ensure compliance with ambitious targets. In addition to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which promotes the energy renovation of existing buildings at a minimum annual rate of 3%, there is also the Green Claims Directive, aimed at regulating sustainability-related messaging to prevent greenwashing and promote transparent and reliable communication.

On January 30, I participated in the presentation of the ARCE 2050 (Zero Emissions Architecture) project by the Ministry of Housing. This is a highly ambitious initiative aimed at leading the decarbonization of Spain’s real estate sector and cities by promoting a sustainable energy transition. During the presentation, the significance of the event was emphasized as a key participatory process in advancing the roadmap toward more sustainable and decarbonized cities. It was repeatedly stated that this is a collective effort.

Measures to Foster a Rehabilitation Mindset

As construction sector companies, we play a fundamental role in this paradigm shift—not only by reducing emissions from our operations but also by leading the transformation of the entire value chain. From the supply of raw materials and product manufacturing to transportation and construction itself, every step matters. However, citizens, homeowners’ associations, and property managers must also recognize their role in this process.

Progress is indeed being made. The revision of the EPBD, for example, introduces the concept of Zero Emission Buildings and focuses on the full life cycle impact of buildings. There are also tools such as energy rehabilitation agents that help address the lack of information. However, the reality is that we are still only halfway to creating effective demand and fostering a true collective awareness of the importance of renovation.

In this context, we must be more ambitious. Public-private collaboration is essential: companies must continue to invest in innovation, sustainability, and emissions reduction to support public administrations, which are implementing various tools to advance energy rehabilitation. These include the Global Warming Potential Measurement, the National Renovation Plan, and the Guide of Recommendations for Improving Rehabilitation and Decarbonization, among others.

The goal is clear: to protect and care for the planet, because the battle for global sustainability will be won or lost in cities. To achieve this, we must build a strong culture that values energy rehabilitation not as a luxury, but as an urgent necessity. Because renovation is not just about building the present—it is about shaping the future.

Published in Cinco Días