Our aging building stock is one of the largest users of energy on our continent - and so much of it is so inefficient.
Renovation is key to fixing that.
As an example, a renovated apartment block with energy class C can use 65% less heating energy, which brings energy costs down by 50%.
But this renovation wave also presents an even bigger opportunity as part of the European Green Deal to make our buildings safer, healthier, more aesthetically pleasing, more accessible, and more affordable - and all much longer into the future.
In Estonia, more than half of our buildings were developed during the Soviet occupation. And the mission now is to renovate everything built before 2000 by 2050.
That’s 141,000 buildings - where about 80% of our population live and work!
Fortunately, our public and private sector are working closely together to achieve this in the most innovative and resourceful way, including with smarter and lower carbon construction materials.
That's why last week we came together for the Roheline Laine (Green Wave) conference, organised by EIS in collaboration with Rohetiiger and Miltton. These great photos are by Rene Lutterus.
I especially want to praise Maarika Truu from Rohetiiger and Kädi Ristkok from the Estonian Cleantech Association - both pictured here above - for leading such excellent workshops with participants.
