The EU Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) has been in force since 2010. After the publication of the EU’s “Green Deal” strategy to reduce carbon emissions, several initiatives were proposed on how to achieve this reduction, namely by renovating buildings and making them more energy efficient. This initiative is called the “Renovation Wave” and the revision of the EPBD is one of the concrete actions to achieve the EU’s goal.
Disabled Persons’ Organisations have demanded from the very start that any action under the “Green Deal” needs to be inclusive of persons with disabilities and that accessibility is a key aspect of sustainability. This is especially true for construction and renovation of buildings and infrastructure. With the revision of the EPBD it is therefore important that when renovations are planned and financed, accessibility is automatically included. This will ensure that the buildings are “future proof” – with an ageing population, there will also be more persons with disabilities that require accessibility.
Including accessibility in renovations now is more expensive, but it is in fact an investment. Including accessibility from the planning and concept phase reduces costs and leads to a better outcome.1
We are replying to the Commission’s consultation on the Roadmap to ensure that the vision is inclusive and accessibility will be part of the renovation strategy and this Directive in particular because sustainability is not just about energy efficiency!