LIFE Integrated projects 2016
Climate Action
Stage 1 - Concept Note (CN) forms
LIFE Integrated Projects 2016- CNa
LIFE 2016
FOR ADMINISTRATION USE ONLY
LIFE16 IPC/
PROJECT
Project title (max. 120 characters):
BELGIUM Renovates for Energy Efficient living
Project acronym (max. 25 characters):
LIFE IP CA: BE REEL!
The project will be implemented in the following Country(ies) and/or Administrative region(s):
Belgium: Flemish Region and Walloon Region
Expected start date: 1/1/2018
Expected end date: 31/12/2024
PROJECT POLICY AREA
You can only tick one of the following options:
Climate Change Adaptation LIFE Integrated Project: Integrated project
contributing to the implementation of a transnational, national, regional or local
specific adaptation strategy or action plan
Climate Change Mitigation LIFE Integrated Project: Integrated project
contributing to the implementation of a transnational, national, regional or
industry/sector specific greenhouse gas mitigation strategy, action plan or low
carbon economy roadmap
Urban Climate Change Mitigation and/or Adaptation LIFE Integrated Project:
Integrated project contributing to the implementation of an urban action plan
pioneering the transition to a low carbon and/or climate resilient society
The project aims at implementing the following action plan/strategy/ roadmap (full copy is to be provided
in attachment):
The long-term strategies of the Flemish and the Walloon Regional governments in Belgium to strongly
and boldly increase the degree of deep renovation and the energy performance of the complete
housing stock in both regions, as a leg up to a low-carbon society:
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The Flemish “Renovation pact”, adopted by the Flemish Government on 17 July 2015
The Walloon ”Strategy for renovating buildings”, adopted by the Walloon government on 27
March 2014
The specific pilot and demonstration actions of the IP, undertaken in the cities participating in the
partnership, will also directly contribute to the implementation of the respective urban action plans
pioneering the transition to a low carbon society. The respective climate urban action plans can be
found through the followings links:
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Ghent
Antwerp
Mechelen
Mouscron
La Louvière
LIFE Integrated Projects 2016- CNb
BENEFICIARIES
Name of the coordinating beneficiary (1): Vlaams Energieagentschap (VEA) / departement Leefmilieu,
Natuur en Energie van de Vlaamse Overheid / (competent authority for energy efficiency in Flanders) VEA
Name of the associated beneficiary (2): Service Public de Wallonie (SPW) /Direction du Bâtiment
durable/Département de l'Energie et du Bâtiment durable - DG04
Name of the associated beneficiary (3): Afdeling Lucht, Hinder, Risicobeheer, Milieu & Gezondheid
departement Leefmilieu, natuur en energie van de Vlaamse Overheid / (competent authority for Climate
Policy in Flanders) - dLNE
Name of the associated beneficiary (4): city of Ghent
Name of the associated beneficiary (5): city of Antwerp
Name of the associated beneficiary (6): city of Mechelen
Name of the associated beneficiary (7): city of Mouscron
Name of the associated beneficiary (8): city of La Louvière
Name of the associated beneficiary (10): Belgian Building Research Institute BBRI-WTCB-CSTC
(Wetenschappelijk en Technisch Centrum voor het Bouwbedrijf - Centre Scientifique et Technique de la
Construction) - BBRI
Name of the associated beneficiary (11): Kenniscentrum Vlaamse Steden (knowledge centre Flemish
cities) - KVS
PROJECT BUDGET AND REQUESTED EU FUNDING
Total integrated project budget:
15.980.560 €
Total eligible project budget:
15.980.560 €
EU LIFE financial contribution requested:
9.588.336 € ( = 60 % of total eligible budget)
LIFE Integrated Projects 2016- CNc
Coordinating Beneficiary Profile Information
VEA
Short Name
Legal information on the Coordinating Beneficiary
Vlaams Energieagentschap - VEA
Legal Name
VAT No
BE 0316 380 841
Legal Registration No
0316 380 841
Registration Date
23/12/2005
Legal Status
Public body
Private non- commercial
PO Box
Town/City
1000
B
Country Code
Country Name
Coordinating Beneficiary contact person information
Belgium
Policy officer
Surname
Vermeiren
E-mail address
[email protected]
Department / Service
Energy Efficiency and social energy policy
Street Name and No
Koning Albert II-laan 20
Post Code
1000
Country
Belgium
First Name
Roel
PO Box
Town/City
02 553 46 25
Telephone No
Coordinating Beneficiary details
17
BRUSSEL
Function
Website
X
Private commercial
Legal address of the Coordinating Beneficiary
Koning Albert II-laan 20
Street Name and No
Post Code
1
Beneficiary n°
17
BRUSSEL
Fax No
02 553 46 01
www.energiesparen.be
Brief description of the Coordinating Beneficiary's activities and experience in the area of the proposal
The Flemish Energy Agency (VEA), founded by the Flemish Government, operates since 2006 as an internal
autonomous agency within the Flemish Ministry of Environment, Nature and Energy.
The mission of VEA is to implement a sustainable energy policy. VEA focuses on policy preparation and
implementation, the increase of support, regulatory and enforcement activities and policy review. The main
tasks of VEA include:
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promoting the rational use of energy including management of the available resources and funds, the
promotion of environmentally friendly energy production;
the raising of awareness and communication actions on environmental friendly energy production and
rational use of energy,
to implement the regulations related to the management and development of distribution networks of
electricity, gas and heat,
contributing to the implementation of the Flemish climate policy plan;
all other policy executive tasks concerning energy policy that are assigned to VEA by law.
In the vision of VEA the most environmentally friendly, the most inexpensive and as a result the most social
energy is that which is not wasted. In order to obtain its goals and create a broad social support, VEA works
together with the energy suppliers and grid operators, the building and technology sector, other regional and
local authorities and many partners representing the civil society.
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LIFE Integrated Projects 2016 - CNe
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
1. Overall context/background/geographical scope
IP itself
The IP will deliver in 7 years (Jan 2018- Dec 2024) the essential components for an operational
framework for the long-term housing renovation strategy of Flanders (“Renovatiepact”) and Wallonia
(“Stratégie de Rénovation des Bâtiments”). As energy efficiency is a regional competence in Belgium,
both regions developed a strategic renovation plan with ambitious 2050 roadmaps leading towards an
average decrease of energy consumption of 75 % and a strong increase in renewable energy
production in residential buildings. The renovation strategies cover the complete Flemish and Walloon
housing stock, representing over 4.1 million dwellings. These targeted dwellings are responsible for 16
Million tonnes CO2 emissions in 2014, or 14% of the total GHG-emissions for Belgium (or 22% of total
non-ETS emissions Belgium). The energy use of Belgian houses is 70% higher than the European
average, showing the enormous potential for energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction.
The BE REEL! project will be based on an interregional collaboration of Flemish and Walloon
authorities, strengthened by the participation of cities (three Flemish and two Walloon cities), the
Belgian Building Research Institute (BBRI) and the Knowledge Centre Flemish Cities (KVS). The BE
REEL! project will be supported by extensive collaboration with a broad range of civil society
stakeholders, ensuring optimal preparation, implementation and long-term (after-LIFE) sustainability of
the IP. The Brussels Capital Region of Belgium does not have an adopted renovation strategy yet, but
will participate in the interregional capacity building network, so the results of the IP can have nationwide effect. This cross-regional setting makes the project quite unique and offers great opportunities to
exchange experiences and processes, mutual learning, harmonisation, and creating synergies leading
to more effective and efficient implementation. The BE REEL! Project is designed to lead the whole
Belgian housing sector into a low carbon future, creating in the same time opportunities for
transnational cooperation and dissemination. New in this innovative approach is not only the
interregional cooperation and synergy, but even more the far-reaching collective nature, scope and
ambition. New collective renovation and deep step-by-step retrofit policies including advisory tools and
financing schemes applying to various types of dwellings will replace the historic approach of case-bycase stimuli for individual renovation measures. This way the project will act as catalyst of both social
and economic climate-friendly development.
Increasing the degree of renovation in the Belgian housing stock and moving towards deeper energyefficient renovations is crucial in the framework of the energy efficiency directive. At the same time it is
essential to reach Belgium’s climate and energy targets in the “EU 2030 climate and energy
framework”, in particular the greenhouse gas reduction target for non-ETS sectors and the renewable
energy target, and to set Belgium on the way to a low carbon housing market. The IP will contribute to
the implementation of the existing regional climate plans (up to 2020), the energy-climate plans 20212030 to be adopted and to any long term climate plans the regions will adopt in the future.
The pilot and demonstration actions undertaken in the participating cities, will directly contribute to the
implementation of the urban action plans pioneering the transition to a low carbon society (“Covenant of
Mayors”). In the longer term, evidently the whole renovation strategy will very much influence the lowemission strategy of any city and community in Flanders and Wallonia.
The BE REEL! project will lead to improved governance, through capacity building- and information
actions, enhanced cooperation between Regions, cities and stakeholders, the development of new
energy and housing policy instruments (e.g. housing passport, dossier global,…) and the creation of
opportunities to accelerate synergies with other policies (employment, education, housing and taxation).
While both the Walloon and the Flemish Region have already made substantial efforts in their
respective renovation strategies, stakeholder involvement and -engagement, and in designing policy
instruments, at this stage and time several of the central tools in the regional strategies are in full
development. The period between the project’s first application (2015 LIFE call) and the start of the
actual IP has been and will be intensely used to further shape the strategies and their respective central
tools, measures and actions.
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Flanders
The housing stock of over 2,6 million dwellings is old, with poor average energy performance and a
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renovation rate under 1 % per year. A recent study showed that 37% or over 1 million of the houses is
of a quality below the standards for comfort, health and safety in housing legislation. The nearly
800.000 Energy Performance Certificates for existing residential buildings show a dramatically low
energy performance of houses built before 1970 (57%). The greenhouse gas emissions of residential
buildings in the Flemish Region amounted to 9.671.000 ton CO2-eq in 2014. This represents 13% of the
total GHG emissions or 22% of the total non-ETS emissions of the Flemish Region in 2014. Given
these data, it is clear that the potential for energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction in residential
buildings is enormous. The sector of building, energy and environmental services, good for 25% of the
GNP and 13% of employment, is a crucial partner for exploiting this potential and to gradually raise the
level of renovation from the actual 1% per year to 2,5 – 3 % from 2020 onwards.
The Energy Renovation Program 2020 (stimulating since 2009 roof insulation, double glazing and
efficient heating for all houses by 2020) put things into motion. At the end of 2014 over 30 stakeholders
together with public authorities reached consensus and delivered recommendations for a more
ambitious deep renovation strategy “Renovation Pact”. The Flemish Government adopted this
Renovation Pact in July 2015 and commissioned the Ministers of Energy, Environment and Housing to
work out a long-term coherent action plan. The overall strategy of the “Renovation Pact” is to put
forward and implement a feasible, acceptable and ambitious long-term energy performance
requirement all residential buildings have to meet at the latest in 2050 and to provide adequate
supportive and normative instruments, marketing and action plans. Reaching this energy performance
requirement would mean an average decrease of the Energy Performance indicator between 65 and
85%. A concept of a housing passport is under development and will serve to monitor and register the
evolution of every single home towards the long-term objective. As a unique electronic record, it will
contain at least information about the energy performance (evolution), a renovation advice and data on
housing quality and energy-saving investments. In a next phase other content can be added
(certificates of installations, audits, permissions and plans,…).
As of 2015 a broad and continuous participatory approach helped shaping the operational plan for the
Renovation Pact. This resulted already in:
The definition of a long term 2050 target for energy performance of houses ((Renovation Pact, page
8));
The approval by the Flemish Government on March 4, 2016 of a comprehensive action program
fighting energy poverty based on an inclusive approach of vulnerable families in the renovation
strategies ((Renovation Pact, page 14));
The start of the technological development of the housing passport of which prototypes will be
tested in the fall of 2016;
The start of a service design trajectory 2016-2017 for the full availability renovation advice tool
(Renovation Pact, page 10);
The approval by the Flemish Government of a revised grant scheme focusing as of 2017 more on
deep energetic retrofit and neighbourhood renovation complemented by specific measures for
vulnerable groups.
Last June the second phase of this participaratory approach was completed and progress will be
reported to the Flemish government in the early automn of 2016, immediately followed by a next phase
of mainly further development of products and tools and integration of policies (energy, housing,
environmental planning, taxation,..).
Wallonia
The existing residential housing stock in Wallonia consists of 1,5 million dwellings. It is generally old
and inefficient in terms of energy use. In July 2016 the 370.000 energy certificates issued for existing
buildings showed 73% of the buildings were built before 1970 and 66% concerned individual dwellings
of which 74% have inadequate energy performance (17% Label E, 17% label F and 40% label G). As
for apartments, 40% display inadequate energy performance. This analysis shows the poor level of
performance of dwellings in the Walloon housing stock. The greenhouse gas emissions of residential
buildings in the Walloon Region amounted to 4.773.000 ton ton CO2-eq in 2014. This represents 13%
of the total GHG emissions or 20,6% of the total non-ETS emissions of the Walloon Region in 2014.
2014. This represents a decrease of 32% compared to 1990.
The rate of renovation of Walloon houses is estimated to be 1% per year, based on issued planning
permissions. Based on these observations, medium- and long-term objectives have been defined to
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Grote Woononderzoek 2013
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speed up the renovation rate of the Walloon housing stock and to ensure that renovations are focusing
on maximising energy performance. The first version of this strategy in response to article 4 of the
Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) has been approved by the government on 27 March 2014.
Three structural objectives were defined:
2020: increase the pace of renovation to reach 3% per year; development and implementation of
tools, dissemination of information to professionals and individuals.
2030: acceleration of the process started in 2020. A overall record will be attached to each building
containing information on different aspects, including energy performance and a renovation road
map geared towards achieving Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB). This tool will allow monitoring
and tracking the progress of each building towards the long-term objective.
2050: buildings will no longer consume but instead generate energy. 90% of the housing stock will
be renovated on a 2010 basis.
The development of the planned instruments is in preparation and plans for a broad stakeholder
engagement approach to work out and facilitate the long-term strategy have started up. A consultation
phase of stakeholders is planned starting in November 2016 to refine the objectives and to engage
stakeholders in the concrete actions for the implementation of the renovation strategy. This participatory
approach aims:
to engage each party to target the long-term goals;
to define / adjust the acceptable performance levels for renovation;
to assess the existing instruments and their relevance to achieving the long term goals;
to present the new tools that the Region is developping (quickscan, audit, overall record);
to establish financial support and instruments related to energy renovation of housing;
to develop a marketing strategy;
to establish a benchmarck of the best practices in renovation and study their wider applicability.
This work will expand the existing adopted version of the Walloon renovation strategy leading to the
approval by the Government of the reviewed and enriched strategy in January 2017.
Present gaps and shortcomings for an effective implementation of both Regional strategic plans are:
Need for further specification of the definition of the long-term requirement for the energy
performance of existing residential buildings;
Need for a detailed roadmap setting out goals and consensus thereon;
Interference of different policies, more integration is needed (environmental planning and land use, ,
housing, environment,….);
Lack of global and long term structural measures for the energy performance of existing houses
(except for those who already have a certificate (houses put on the sales/rental market since 2009);
Need for a long-term broad and solid partnership with a variety of relevant stakeholders, who
enhance cooperation and knowledge based on shared responsibility;
Need for individual professional renovation advice for citizens (technical and organizational);
Need for capacity building (architects, building contractors, energy advise, …);
Need for new business models and financing models adapted to the objectives of the strategies;
Need for demonstration projects and best practices.
The IP is mainly aimed towards actions on the points mentioned in order to overcome the gaps and to
facilitate the multi-actor process that paves the road leading us towards a future with continuous very
low residential energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions.
Complementary actions
The most important complementary actions foreseen in the project are directly and solely designed to
implement the two regional strategic action-plans for renovation. These actions concern mostly either
preparatory policy measures (detailed design of instruments, capacity building, integration with other
policy areas, reformation granting system, adopting legal obligations) or upscaling measures.
Furthermore, there are:
broader complementary actions, in the frameworks of other action plans such as local energy
efficiency plans of cities, energy poverty plan, asbestos removal, use of sustainable materials, …
various complementary actions in the form of pilot and demonstration projects and initiatives
undertaken by local authorities, with and without EU funding.
implementation on a larger scale of the IP actions
The complementary actions are listed under point 3. Actions and means involved.
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2. Project objectives:
IP itself
The overall objective is the full implementation of the strategic housing renovation plans of the regions
of Flanders and Wallonia and to reach the targets defined in these strategic plans, i.e.: a long lasting,
strong increase in the renovation rate for both regions and a radical improvement of the energy
performance:
Flemish “Renovation Pact”: improvement of the energy performance with an average of 75% of all
existing residential buildings between today and 2050.
Walloon ”Strategy for renovating buildings”: by 2050 buildings will no longer consume but instead
generate energy and 90% of the housing stock will be renovated (on a 2010 basis).
In close cooperation with local authorities, cities and other stakeholders, BE REEL! will deliver:
a strong cluster of policy measures which have proven their feasibility, effectiveness and efficiency;
a committed governance and stakeholder-framework capable of implementing the measures in the
whole society;
and a fully operational supporting structure (capacity, education, technical instruments, databases,
guidance and support to facilitate the implementation).
More specifically, the IP has the following objectives:
1. Establish the foundations for the implementation of the territorial scale regional strategies, giving a
boost to the concrete implementation of the renovation strategies
2. Develop, test, evaluate, refine and demonstrate the most appropriate structural measures to realize
a long lasting strong increase in the renovation rate and a radical improvement of the energy
performance of all existing residential buildings by 2050. These measures will involve technical
instruments, financing instruments, advisory tools and practical support measures that are to be
replicated, transferred and/or mainstreamed. Designing and implementing innovative
concepts/instruments (such as housing passport, renovation advice, new financing mechanisms,..)
will be part of this objective, as well as pilot retrofitting, the application of best practices and the
development of new business models for deep renovation.
3. Capacity building and improving knowledge base, inside the Flemish and Walloon administrations
and for all stakeholders, administrations and local governments involved, and capacity building in
the building and housing design sector, education, renovation advice
4. Enhanced cooperation with stakeholders, administrations, local authorities through roadmap
exercises, networking, best practices learning and factual collaboration through pilots and
implementation actions
5. Creating fruitful synergies between Flemish and Walloon Region, but also with the Brussels Capital
Region in the framework of a ‘learning network’ with the aim of capacity building, avoiding double
efforts and creating a more coherent policy throughout the different Belgian Regions and abroad ;
6. Development and implementation of a communication and marketing strategy to create support and
action
7. Setting up a Project management framework for the partnership: program management,
monitoring and evaluation of tools (pilot phase testing, follow-up monitoring)
Achieving these objectives, by means of the actions of the IP (described under point 3), will remove the
identified constraints and gaps under point 1.
Complementary actions
The objectives of the complementary actions are, in parallel with the IP actions, very diversified. The
main objectives are:
detailed design and preparation of the new policy instruments;
bringing stakeholders (banks, construction sector federations, energy auditors, certifiers, etc.) in the
strategy together to set out the road map, approve the tool concepts to be implemented and define
the mechanisms to be put in place in order to activate these tools;
large scale implementation of the newly design policy instruments, after testing and optimisation,
with a view to increasing the annual rate and quality of building renovations.
accelerate necessary synergies with other policies such as employment, education, housing,
taxation, environment, land use and the fight against poverty;
reform the granting system for energy efficiency renovations to maximize its potential with regard to
achieving the long term objectives of the renovation strategies;
reform the taxation system in cooperation with fiscal authorities and banking sector);
adopt new legal obligations in respect of energy performance of residential buildings;
to have a robust monitoring and evaluation methodology for the progress and result of IP actions
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to have robust follow-up indicator(s) for the progress in reaching the general objectives of the
renovation strategies;
capacity building: building sector, architects, education, software.
3. Actions and means involved:
The renovation strategies of the Flemish and Walloon Region consist of some very similar strategic
actions to achieve the transition to a low carbon housing market, such as the development and
implementation of a general electronic record, bringing together information on the different aspects for
each building (“overall record” in the Walloon Region and ‘”housing passport” in the Flemish Region).
The strategic actions, serving the same long term objective, are very similar, and, at the same time,
offer interesting deviations. This particular setting offers great opportunities to harmonise, to learn from
each other and to find ways to manage the available means and funds in a more efficient manner, as
duplication of efforts could be avoided. These unique starting conditions and the opportunities they
bring along, will be kept in mind by the regional partnership of Flanders and Wallonia during the whole
project period and will be reflected throughout the actions of the IP.
The project also has the privilege that it combines the forces of both the regional and local policy
makers. The inclusion of both large and smaller cities in the partnership will prove to be extremely
valuable in the testing and implementation phase of the newly designed policy instruments. On a
technical level, the participation of the Belgian Building Research Institute BBRI is of undeniable and
crucial value, as is the close collaboration with the Kenniscentrum Vlaamse Steden (knowledge centre
Flemish cities) as far as the sharing of knowledge is concerned. In addition to the formal project
partnership, both regions will continue throughout the project term to involve all appropriate
stakeholders in the project implementation (for more details see point 6) e.g. building sector, social
midfield, environmental protection, poverty, education,…
Both the Walloon and Flemish Region are fully committed to a transition of the housing market into a
solid component of a Belgian low carbon economy, and have put forward a number of innovative
policy instruments to achieve this objective. These new policy instruments (e.g. ambitious energy
performance goals, collective and/or step-by-step renovation, alternative financing,…) will be tested
through pilot actions in close cooperation with local authorities, in order to optimize the instruments
and implement them on a large territorial scale. Next to the newly developed policy instruments, a broad
implementation of best practices will be necessary to achieve the long term goal. Cities will take up an
important role in this process by means of demonstration projects, showing the potential and helping
the Regions determine the most appropriate best practices for broad deployment in society.
The IP includes an extensive set of actions which complement and enforce each other. This results in a
number of action-clusters:
Note: The newly developed strategic policy measures, such as overall record, housing passport, renovation advice, new business
cases for renovation planners, will each be unfolded in different stages:
1st stage: detailed design and preparation (under cluster ‘preparatory actions IP/complementary’)
2de stage: testing (pilot-projects under cluster ‘concrete implementation actions IP’)
3rd stage: evaluation, optimization, modification for broad deployment in society (under cluster ‘monitoring actions IP’)
4th stage: large scale implementation (under cluster ‘complementary implementation actions’ or under cluster ‘implementation
action IP - capacity building)
1. Preparatory actions– A actions (Estimated 7% of the total budget)
Common
establish a ‘learning network for interregional exchange’, in which the three Regions of Belgium
(also Brussels Capital Region) will participate
identify opportunities for collaboration between the Regions e.g. studies, projects, monitoring
methodologies that can be started together in order to avoid duplication of efforts
identify opportunities for further harmonisation of actions/measures which are already similar (e.g.
housing passport in Flanders and overall record in Wallonia).
Develop an approach to transfer best practices from both Regions and from the cities/communities
to other Belgian regions
Set up exchange structures with (projects of) other EU member states to create useful synergies
and take up good practices and innovative solutions.
Flanders
Testing and refining of the developed renovation advice tool, describing the steps necessary for
meeting the long term requirement on energy performance, as a crucial component of the housing
passport. Including the wide availabilty of certified renovation advisors (phase 1) (Renovation Pact,
page 10).
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Step-by step testing of basic and additional functions of the concept of the electronic record for all
houses ”housing passport” linked to the existing building registry and in accordance with similar
ongoing projects on data collection and monitoring in the program “Vlaanderen Radicaal Digitaal”
including the involvement of future user groups and pilots (Renovation Pact, page 9)
Wallonia
Technical planification of the tool “Overall Record” (“Dossier Global”): an general electronic record
(bringing together information on the different aspects for each building: (ref.: building renovation
strategy, page 33) Phase 1: data collection in order to define the energy theme of the general
record: energy identity card bringing together data from the certificate, any audit carried out, a
NZEB renovation road map as well as information updated in accordance with renovation work
carried out (EPB certificate).
Technical planification of the quickscan tool that enables occupying owners or potential purchasers
who do not have an energy certificate or an EAP Audit (Energy Advice Procedure) to quickly and
comprehensively learn about the most beneficial energy-related renovation work for a given
building. (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 23) Phase 1: technical planning and data
collection in order to implement the tool during the IP
Review of the EAP audit process and transform it into a complete decision-making and support tool.
Objective: present an energy renovation scenario aimed at achieving NZEB; establish a road map
setting out the order of priority for actions; provide technical guidance for the resulting works;
provide support to property owners in following the road map; certify that the expected improvement
in performance has been achieved. (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 32) Phase 1: review
and adaptation of the concept in order to implement it during the IP.
Complementary preparatory actions
Operationalization of long term objective for energy performance (Renovation Pact, page 8)
Integration of policies (planning, environment, taxation, housing,…) in order to overcome existing
barriers for deep renovation of existing houses (Renovation Pact, page 14)
Starting up a think tank on taxation with regions and federal level (Renovation Pact, page 12)
Introduction of specific stronger obligations for houses in very bad shape and obligations linked to
transaction moments (sale, rent) in Flemish legislation (Renovation Pact, page 14)
Determination and implementation of a follow-up indicator measuring the renovation rate and
improvement of energy performance (also see D and F-actions) (Renovation Pact, page 8)
Adaptation/reform of the support mechanisms and grants for energy savings investments in the
Walloon and Flemish Regions
Explore and evaluate possibilities for the development of new business cases for deep renovations
(Renovation Pact, page 13)
Several Horizon 2020 projects (FALCO, STEP-BY-STEP) (see financial plan);
Continuous stakeholder involvement in both Regions (Building renovation strategy, page 13;
Renovation Pact page 4)
2. Concrete implementation actions – C actions (Estimated % of the total budget: 69%)
This cluster of measures consists of demonstration projects and best practices as well as pilot projects.
Local authorities (cities) will have an important role.
Demonstration and best practices
A necessary first step to get the renovation strategies on track, is to provide a number of projects
demonstrating the feasibility of deep energy-efficient renovation for different types and states of
residential buildings. After evaluation of the effectiveness, the selection and dissemination of best
practices will stimulate owners, designers and builders to renovate in a cost-effective way. A central
overview and monitoring of the regional actions will lead to knowledge exchange and mutual learning.
To realize the objectives of the renovation strategies it is crucial to gain practical experience with:
the technical and budgetary feasibility of meeting the long term energy performance objective;
the feasibility of new business models for housing renovation (e.g. apartment blocks,
neighbourhood renovation, prefab renovation solutions of walls and roof, collective heating,…)
collective cost-efficient renovation;
innovative forms of financing like energy performance contracting, crowdfunding, the use of
revolving funds for loans,…
In order to do so, a number of demonstration projects will be set up by - or in close cooperation withthe local partners, for example:
multiple demonstration projects for collective renovation resulting in best practices and a
transferable script
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Antwerp: renovation of 500 houses towards low energy buildings 60 kWh/m
Antwerp: renovation of 250 houses towards nearly zero energy buildings 30 kWh/m²;
Mechelen: renovation of 75 houses nearly zero energy buildings 30 kWh/m2
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Mechelen: renovation of 50 houses low energy buildings 50 kWh/m ;
demonstration project for deep renovation of large apartment blocks in Antwerp (3350 dwellings
collectively retrofitted)
demonstration project for deep renovation of smaller apartment blocks in Ghent leading to
guidances for syndics and co-owner associations;
demonstration project on collective solar panels in neighbourhoods Ghent: 750kW (5000 m2, 3030
panels) installed, leading to the development of a replicable business model;
demonstration project on collective solar panels in neighbourhoods Mechelen in cooperation with
social housing companies, leading to a road map for cooperatives and a replicable business model;
sustainable renovation of protected heritage houses with application of residual heath for district
heating in Ghent; leading to 155 heritage houses with a low carbon footprint and gained knowledge
to be transferred for further uptake;
shallow geothermal projects Ghent (communication campaign and competition leading directly to 5
low energy houses and to broad awareness);
neighbourhood renovation projects in Ghent (advice, prefunding, group purchases, vulnerable
population groups,...) leading to 800 households who received a renovation advice and 480 tot 640
houses which will have had an energy efficient renovation through this action;
Budget neutral retrofitting for vulnerable families (innovation of the Flemish energy loan);
In Flanders as of 2017 the grid operators will start a recently approved public service obligation
scheme to finance various methods intermediate organisations can experiment with coordinating
local collective renovation projects of a minimum of 10 houses. Based on periodical calls this
innovative scheme aims at 25.000 renovations each year.
Also in the Walloon Region projects associated with the energy renovation of residential buildings,
arising from the Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) of cities that are signatories to the
Covenant of Mayors, will be set op. Amongst others:
Rénovation – “Quality of Life through the insulation and energy saving” in Mouscron : test of the
Quickscan, audit and overall record (30 houses). On-site renovation guidance for 10 dwellings and
awareness sessions renovations.
Implementation of third-party investment to finance energy renovation of buildings in La Louvière;
Demonstration and best practices in various cities focusing on the use of the tools for diagnosis,
advice and support developped by the Walloon Region: 1000 Quickscans, 300 audits and 100
renovation guidance of 100 dwellings (Building renovation strategy, page 23). The list of
participating cities will be provided in the full proposal.
In addition to the above mentioned actions demonstrating good and best practices, the exchange and
knowledge platform to initiate best practices and innovations, as described under the topic ‘capacity
building’ beneath, will actively gather in Belgium and abroad, promote, follow up and stimulate results
related to the use or implementation of best practices with specific value for Belgium, named the ‘Very
innovative Promising Solutions’ (VIPS). This platform will accelerate the uptake of advanced retrofitting
practices and state-of-the art renovation techniques and methods throughout the chain of retrofitting
actors, including professional builders and administrations.
Pilot projects
The pilot projects will be aimed at testing the main newly developed policy measures by the Regions,
before large-scale implementation:
Flemish Region: In partnership with the cities of Ghent, Mechelen and Antwerp, business cases for
renovation planners - “one stop shops” offering renovation advice and guidance - will be tested in
phase 2 of the implementation plan for the “renovation advice” (after phase 1: see preparatory
measures) (Renovation Pact, page 12)
Flemish Region: Testing in different segments of the housing market/partner cities of the - in phase
1 developed - concept for a housing passport including a step-by-step renovation advice.
Evaluation and improvement (Renovation Pact, page 9)
Pilots for innovative business models followed by upscaling and leading to the first measurable
results in terms of stimulating renovation and drastic improvement of the energy performance.
Complementary implementation actions
Large scale implementation of IP-developed instruments and tested through various pilot projects
(Overall Record, Housing Passport, Renovation Advice,…) in the whole territory of the Flemish and
Walloon Region. Some measures will be gradually upscaled;
Financial support of deep renovations with grants and loans on regional and local level –
Reformation of the granting system in the framework of the new renovation strategies;
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Flemish Energy loans in the framework of the Renovation pact;
Fighting energy poverty with a set of measures improving quality and energy performance of social
and private housing inhabited by vulnerable families;
Various (pilot) projects initiated by the cities of Ghent, Antwerpen, Mechelen: see financial plan –
complementary funding (EU and public funds);
Upscaling actions (IP and complemenatary) of the cities of Ghent, Antwerpen and Mechelen;
Both the Walloon as the Flemish Region share the opinion that loans (or other types of financial
interventions) might be a better tool for increasing energy efficiency in the long run than grants.
Since a system based on grants is too dependent on budget constraints, there’s an obvious need
for alternative/innovative financing. Both regions already have strong measures with proven
success, ready for scaling up. In the Wallon Region, the Ecopack system offers loans for up tot
30.000 euro. In the Region of Flanders, the Energy Loan offers vulnerable groups specific guidance
and 0% loans. VEA has had several meetings with the Belfius Bank (PF4EE partner) exploring
possible methods and conditions for the offering of energy loans to private house owners. At the
same time, VEA is negotiating with Participatie Maatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV), a public-private
investment vehicle, which is also the regional contact point for the “European Fund for Strategic
Investments” (EFSI). This very promising collaboration aims at making available a very substantial
revolving fund for energy efficiency loans, making it possible to create variations both in the
repayment term as well as in the amounts loaned. In the Region of Flanders, the political level
recently took a big interest in the issue of energy loans.
Capacity building
Low energy renovation is technically feasible, but only under the condition that all actors involved, have
or will obtain the necessary expertise. In addition to the regional capacity building initiatives, the central
project coordination will stimulate close collaboration and active learning of all the stakeholders. In the
field of financing, business models, public sector and multi-actor partnerships, capacity building and
innovation will be encouraged and supported. The learning network to exchange experiences between
the Regions will be highly important in this process. Knowledge gained through synergies with projects
in other EU member states will also feed capacity building. Involvement of key stakeholders, such as
the Knowledge Center of Flemish Cities, will be essential when mainstreaming the results of the pilotand demonstration actions towards other cities and municipalities and will facilitate local capacity
building. Specific capacity building actions are:
Setting up of a knowledge platform under the coordination of the Belgian Building Research
Institute (BBRI) in order to enlarge the existing inventory of best practises, to function as an
innovation incubator and to spread out expertise and competences within the partnership, the entire
building sector (Renovation Pact, page 11). The exchange and knowledge platform will inventory
best practices from Belgium and abroad, evidently also taking into account the best practices and
EU-projects from other member states based on the synergies that have been created by the
preparatory actions. Specific attention will be given to innovative solutions that are considered as
very promising or impacting for the Belgian building stock, practice or policy.
Further development and implementation of various innovative business cases for renovation
planning and realisation of deep renovation (best practices) in cooperation with cities (guidance,
taxation, energy performance contracting, collective renovation,..).
Achieving general availability in the Flemish region of a qualitative step-by-step renovation advice:
training program for renovation advisors in the Flemish Region, leading to at least 500 trained
professionals (Renovation Pact, page 10)
Implementation of Quickscan tools, EAP audit and “Overall Record” allowing an optimal approach
of all aspects of a renovation project, a technical assistance and a personal monitoring (ref.:
building renovation strategy, page 24)
Training professionals in the new role of EAP auditor for the implementation renovation advice in
the Walloon Region (phase 3) (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 24)
Local initiatives such as the activation/information project to set up neighbourhood renovation
projects throughout the city, based on the result of demonstration projects.
Guaranteeing adequate personnel capacity in all the partner organizations.
Complementary capacity building actions
Capacity building on the subject of low energy renovation for advisors, architects, building
contractors in cooperation with the sector organisations and education;
Participation in the BUILD UPON Web Platform for National Renovation Strategies Launched in
Spring 2015 (Horizon 2020);
Extending existing software used for Flemish energy loans to offer guarantees to citizens for budget
neutral renovations.
3. Monitoring of the impact of project actions. – D Actions (Estimated % of the total budget: 2%)
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In our IP we will test various business models (technical, support measures, guidance, tools, financing)
in different contexts. For the successful implementation of big scale renovation strategies, it is crucial to
learn on a rather short term which are the things that really work and actually persuade more people
into low energy renovations. In seven years’ time we aim to realize a set of measures and tools that
offer a powerful support in various contexts and for multiple target groups. Specific monitoring actions
are:
Monitoring the impact of project actions contributions to the implementation of the targeted regional
renovation strategies and to the climate and energy problems addressed
Monitoring of the projects’ socio-economic impact
Monitoring of LIFE project specific indicators call 2016 based on the table therefore provided
Given the fact that in our IP two different renovation strategies will be implemented, specific
opportunities for mutual learning will be used as much as possible.
4. Communication and dissemination/public awareness - E actions (Estimated % of total budget: 11%)
Since the regional renovation strategies cover almost all existing residential buildings (over 4.1 million
dwellings), intense communication and public awareness raising will be essential. Over the next
decades the long term objectives will at a certain moment imply every household. In order to realize a
sense of urgency as well as active involvement, the realisation of the strategic goals will largely benefit
from broadcast and segmented communication to trigger the private investments households are facing
when renovating their houses. As a result, the estimated budget reflects the relative high importance
and contribution of these actions.
The E-actions foreseen in the BE REEL! Project are:
BE REEL! Umbrella communication and public awareness plan and activities
Communication steering group and learning network
LIFE BE REEL! Kick-off and closing event
Guidelines and best practices based on results of pilots and demonstration actions
Technical publications
Promote LIFE BE REEL! Results on local, regional, national and EU level
Press/visitor day on different sites of the BE REEL! IP
After LIFE communication plan
Development of a broad communication and marketing strategy for the regions to lead the whole
territory and all layers of society towards low carbon living
Networking and information exchange with other projects:
Establish two correspondence groups (one intra-Belgium, one involving other EU member states)
Organize two network events – workshops for related projects with Belgian partners
Organize one network event – workshop for related EU projects
Participation in relevant exchange workshops and meetings at regional, national and EU level
Communication on websites (LIFE BE REEL! Website in three languages + websites of IP partners)
and notice boards (on sites demonstration actions) and through newsletters
Based on the evaluation of the pilots and demonstration projects of the IP best practices will be
identified for business cases for renovation planners and for innovative business models. In the second
phase 35 information workshops will be held, project guidelines and functional manuals will be spread.
Long term and large scale involvement of all Walloon cities in the communication and support of
citizens regarding developed tools
Walloon Regional communication plan for promoting the tools developed and the related support
mechanisms
Workshops and information sessions for cities and local authorities: together with the Association of
Flemish Cities and Towns (VVSG) and the Union of Cities and Municipalities of Wallonia (UVCW)
Specific communication actions by local authorities, e.g. combination communication campaign;
information on neighbourhood average energy use of energy bills in Mechelen,…
Publication of a Laymen’s report at the end of the project.
Complementary communication actions
Local initiatives such as Ecohouse and city neighbourhood renovation information centres in
Antwerp (see financial plan – other funds - public)
5. Project Management and monitoring of project progress (F-actions)
Estimated % of total budget: 11%
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We will establish an interregional Project Team (BE REEL! Project Team) responsible for the decision
making and general interregional project management (administrative, technical and financial aspects)
and for meeting the LIFE reporting obligations consisting of:
- BE REEL! Project Management Team
- BE REEL! Steering Committee (representing all IP-partners)
- Regional Walloon Project Management
- Regional Flanders Project Management
This project management structure will enhance cooperation and exchange of knowledge between
Flanders, Wallonia, the participating cities and the other project partners. The BE REEL! Management
team is responsible for the functioning of the ‘learning network for interregional exchange’,
established under the preparatory actions, including the cross-regional uptake of best practices. The
management team will also be responsible for transnational learning and cooperation, including the
synergies with other EU projects and transnational uptake of best practices.
Both Regions will set up a Regional Project Management responsible for the overall coordination of the
regional IP’s activities and decision making. The projects’ actions and expenditures will be submitted to
a management and financial audit outsourced to an external audit office.
To ensure and facilitate the broad implementation of the long-term regional strategies, a BE REEL!
After-Life Plan with a replicability strategy will be developed during the last year of the IP and will be
presented as a separated annex of the final report.
Complementary actions
Define monitoring and evaluation methodology for progress and result of actions
Development of a follow-up indicator for the renovation rate and improvement of energy
performance of the housing stock.
4. Expected results (main outputs and achievements, qualitative and quantitative):
The overall direct/immediate results and achievements of the actions in the IP:
Increased number of innovative technologies, systems and instruments and/or best practice
solution for reduction of GHG
A significant increase in the number of regions/cities/sectors applying integrated approachs with
support of the IP or replicating the results from the IP
The contribution to strengthening climate change mitigation management and governance,
including the level of involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities and
stakeholders at local, regional and national level
Since the adopted renovation strategies are under full development, a considerable part of the resultoriented actions will be quantified at a later stage. The Flemish and Walloon regional authorities are
fully committed to this detailed and in depth quantification.
1. Preparatory actions
In both regions the housing passport/overall record and step-by-step renovation advice tools are
developed, tested and available.
A profile of competences of energy advisors is available and used in training programs.
The roadmaps for the strategies will be set and concrete objectives will be known.
The technical planification of the tools (quickscan, audit, dossier global) and their interactions will
be refined, tools will be developed and available.
A learning network with participation of the three Belgian Regions is active.
Opportunities for interregional collaboration on studies, projects and monitoring are exploited.
In Wallonia the implementation process of new tools for decision support for renovation is up.
Opportunities for further harmonisation of similar regional actions and measures are used.
2. Concrete implementation actions
Demonstration and best practices
Multiple demonstration projects for collective renovation, apartment block renovation, have led to
the upscaling of best practices (for details, see point 3 Concrete implementation actions).
Pilot projects
Flemish Region: the housing passport including an step-by-step renovation advice is operational
and ready for further gradual big scale application.
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Walloon Region: the quickscan, energy audit and “overall record” tools are extensively tested in
different private and social housing types and within distinct population categories, and the
according deep renovations are carried out and evaluated.
During the IP developed pilots for innovative business models for renovation projects (individual,
collective, for target groups,…) are being used an ready for upscaling.
In Wallonia 100 buildings renovated as part of the pilot actions will get a significant improvement in
their performance (target NZEB)
Cities will be on track to reach the targets set in their Sustainable Energy Action Plans
3. Capacity building
Based on the intense interregional exchange and coordination during the IP, the beneficiaries and other
stakeholders gained expertise on putting up long term strategic actions, on capacity building processes
and tools. Because of the added value, further opportunities for cooperation and interchange are used.
A digital knowledge platform functions as an innovation incubator and spreads out future-proof
expertise and competences within the partnership, the entire building sector and to the general
public. Links to other European initiatives are built in.
An exchange framework in the building and educational sector develops recurrent educational
programs and in-service training leading to enough capacity within the building sector.
Various innovative business cases for renovation planning are developed in cooperation with cities
and stakeholders (guidance, taxation, energy performance contracting, collective renovation,
retrofitting houses of vulnerable families,…) and a dissemination plan is ongoing.
Capacity building generated by LIFE IP actions will ensure the building sector a good knowledge of
the tools, means of action an guidance for renovation, a better knowledge of the housing stock and
therefore the renovation market. A consulting and market support in the area of energy renovation
will emerge. New business will be created. The field of energy professionals (certifiers, auditors,
energy advisors ...) will see their role strengthened.
New tools (Quickscan tools, EAP audit and overall record) allowing an optimal approach of all
aspects of a renovation project, a technical assistance and a personal monitoring are available and
operational (ref.: building renovation strategy, page 24)
4. Project management and monitoring of progress of project and individual actions.
An interregional project management structure is in function and delivers adequate management,
overall governance and follow up of the implementation of the IP actions.
A regional Project management and decision making framework including administrations and
stakeholders is functional and has put the strategic plan on the tracks.
Tools for structural exchange and monitoring of the energy savings and linked decrease in emission
of greenhouse gasses are available.
Indicators measuring the intended growth of the renovation rate and the improvement of the energy
performance and measuring the socio-economic impact of the actions are implemented.
The monitoring activities will assess the impact of the tools and adapt them for wider use.
5. Communication and dissemination - public awareness
Internal communication structure and plan for the IP project results in substantially higher
awareness and improved understanding of the strategic plan, both for the general public as for the
partners, stakeholders, administrations and authorities involved.
A strong marketing strategy for the “Renovation Pact” on the short, middle and long term including
dissemination to other member states is running. The strategy is linked with the long term strategy
for climate neutrality in the Covenant of Mayors and will maximize the use of communication means
of the partners.
Communication products and tools (print, site, web-application,…) have been launched
The publication of pilot actions will constitute the entrance door for the marketing strategy that will
be developed around the tools.
The advantage of the new regional tools developed is demonstrated by the results obtained during
the pilot and demonstration projects. The results are communicated to professionals and the
general public.
The technical and financial feasibility will be demonstrated and will encourage the reproducibility of
this type of project
Linked to expected complementary actions
Stakeholder involvement is strong and stable.
Different policies (planning, environment, housing,..) are integrated to stimulate renovations.
A follow-up indicator measuring the rate of renovation and improvement of energy performance is
available and in use.
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New business cases for deep renovation are explored and evaluated.
Support mechanisms and grants for energy savings investments are reformed.
Increase renovation rate of the housing stock to 3% per year. On a yearly basis on average
120.000 to 130.000 deep energy efficient renovations have to be carried out in the period 2017 –
2050. Translating the ambition of an average 75 % reduction in energy consumption on house level
means that the total residential consumption should also drop by 75% by 2050 or 3.5% per year.
The new tools are widely deployed throughout the regional territories.
5. Expected contribution to the implementation of the target plan/strategy
The IP is essential for achieving the long-term targets embedded in the renovation strategies, adopted
by the Flemish and Walloon regional governments. The actions of the IP will prepare, test and improve
the policy measures foreseen in the regional strategies in order to be fully capable to implement the
measures in the whole society. The IP will generate new ideas, generate strategic tools to support
decision making, facilitate choices for best practices and new business cases for renovation; and
improve governance through strategic capacity building actions that catalyse the process towards the
full implementation. The IP will strengthen partnerships and stakeholder engagement and will build the
capacity of those stakeholders. The IP will result in:
a strong cluster of policy measures which have proven their feasibility, effectiveness and efficiency
a committed governance and stakeholder-framework capable of implementing the measures in the
whole society;
a fully operational supporting structure (capacity, education, technical instruments, databases,
guidance and support) to facilitate the implementation;
a monitoring methodology and indicators to assess progress towards the overall energy efficiency
objectives and CO2 reduction.
The main value of the IP actions is that together they will make sure that the Flemish and Walloon
Region are fully prepared and dispose of all necessary components to lay out a cluster of measures
that will change the Belgian housing sector and its climate impact in a definite and sustainable way, in
accordance with the objectives of the strategies.
Although the IP will not achieve the full implementation of the regional renovation strategies, it will act
as a strong catalyst in the process towards the full implementation.
Taking into account the long term target period of the strategies (i.e. until 2050), and the fact that part of
the large scale implementation of measures will start at the end or after the IP period, a lot of efforts and certainly results in term of CO2-reductions- will still need to be realized after the IP project period.
Nevertheless the IP will lay down (and finalise!) the solid foundations for the future policy
implementation. The IP will, by the end of the IP project period (end of 2014), have moulded the Belgian
climate policy for housing for several decades.
The complementary actions of the project will by the end of the IP period certainly have resulted in:
a reformation of the regional granting systems for energy efficiency investments in houses;
an operational roadmap / target path to reach the long term objectives of the regional strategies;
fewer barriers for deep renovation by integration of different policy areas (planning, taxation,
housing, environment,…)
an operational monitoring methodology to follow up the rate of renovation and improvement of
energy efficiency in residential buildings;
decrease in energy poverty;
increased capacity (advisors, building contractors, architects, education,..) also leading tot
innovations in materials and techniques.
6. Main stakeholders involved in the project:
While developing the regional strategies, both regions are already involving many relevant
stakeholders. In the project we will make further use and will intensify this ongoing
stakeholderengagement, both on the level of individual project activities as on the overall strategic and
project management level (intra- and interregional and towards other member states).
Flanders
Cities with energy efficiency plans for the housing sector: implementation of IP actions
Social economy organisations active in the field of basic energy audits and roof insulation: reaching
out to vulnerable groups and sustain their participation in the renovation strategy
Energy grid operators (Infrax, Eandis): grants for energy efficiency measures / large scale
communication / data delivery on residential energy use
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Netwerk tegen armoede: fight against energy poverty / communication on specific instruments for
energy efficiency for poor families
Sustainable building (CEDUBO): use of sustainable materials in renovation
Platform for passive house building (Passiefhuisplatform): best practices / state of the art deep
renovation advice
Organization for sustainable energie (ODE): advice on sustainable energy solutions
Environmental Movement (Bond Beter Leefmilieu): ecological issues / Policy advice
Belgian financial sector federation (BVK – Febelfin): business model innovation / loans
Association of families (Gezinsbond): representing of interests of families
Association of Flemish cities and towns (VVSG): communication / dissemination of best practices
Federations of the building sector (VCB, Bouwunie): capacity building, innovation
Federations of architects (NAV, BVA): capacity building, innovation
Association of energy auditors (OVED): capacity building, advice
Federation of technological industry (Agoria): innovation in renovation solutions
Public authorities (consistency of policies): Wonen-Vlaanderen (policy on housing and grants for
renovation) and Ruimte Vlaanderen: policy on environmental planning
Local advisory services on housing/energy efficiency in cities and municipalities: renovation advice
45 Social Renting offices (private housing that is rented out by the owner to 45 intermediary
organisations and sub-rented to vulnerable families): renovation of the housing stock of 8000
houses using IP-developed business models
5 provincial Advice Centers for sustainable housing: renovation advice / projects for collective and
cost efficient renovation
Nearly all these stakeholders are since end 2014 formally involved in the design and consultation
process of the renovation strategy and committed themselves to be active players who will continue to
participate in the implementation of actions in their fields of competence.
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Wallonia
All the stakeholders are directly involved in the actions proposed for the Walloon Region. Furthermore,
the stakeholder engagement process will take the form of a consultation period with all the stakeholders
to engage them in the pursuit of long-term goals and the implementation of the renovation strategy.
Active participation and commitment of each stakeholder is expected during this period.
Cities with a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP): coordination and support at local level within
the context of pilot actions. Test new tools by the way of the pilot and demonstration actions.
The Union of Cities and Municipalities of Wallonia: consistency of the project with regard to all local
policies; transmission and dissemination of actions.
Regional Department of Energy, Housing, Planning and the Environment: consistency of the project
with regard to all regional policies. Participation in the dissemination of new tools.
Federations representing the construction sector: contributing to the development of the road map,
validating the tool concepts to be put in place
Non-profit organizations actif in sustainable construction (Clusters, ELEA, GREENWAL):
contributing to the development of the road map, validating the tool concepts to be put in place
Corporate real estate and housing agencies: participation in discussions on the development of
tools and actions on the ground through the use of such tools, dissemination of the new tools.
Banks and financial institutions: development of financial support mechanisms
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Professionals in the energy sector (auditors, certifiers, EPB managers, energy consultants, authors
of feasibility studies, architects, etc.): participation in discussions on the development of tools and
actions on the ground through the use of such tools. Strengthening of professional capacity. Active
relay persons to test, use and disseminate the new tools.
7. Long term sustainability (including capacity building):
We refer to section 5 on ‘Expected contribution to the implementation of the target plan/strategy’ to
demonstrate the long term sustainability of the results of the IP, in particular to the long term –target
period of the strategies (i.e. until 2050) and the fact that the IP will lay down the solid foundations for the
future policy implementation and will have moulded the Belgian climate policy for housing for several
decades. The trajectory of the IP will be continued by large-scale implementation of the IP developed
policy measures, in the whole residential building sector of the Flemish and Walloon Region; as
determined in the regional strategies.
Replication and transfer of the demonstrated and selected best practices and the developed, tested and
refined innovative policy instruments within the LIFE BE REEL! Project, have the greatest priority in the
LIFE BE REEL! Project and the after LIFE plan, which will be developed as an IP-action. The innovative
tools that will be developed (quickscan, audit, EAP overall record, housing passport, renovation advice)
will, as is decided in the regional governments’ decisions, be used on the whole territory, so that
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eventually each dwelling had a thorough study of its energy improvement potential and a roadmap that
will guide them to the highest level of energy performance.
The (adopted) regional renovation strategies include ambitious long term goals for 2050. The results of
the IP (such as developed policy instruments, guidelines, best practices, built up capacity, knowledge,
awareness and engagement) will be the cornerstones of the long term implementation of both
strategies and will be transferred on large scale (the whole territory). The results of the IP will
structurally change the building/constructing sector, legislation, toolkit and capacity.The BE REEL!
project will act as a catalyst for social and economic development by moving the Walloon and Flemish
housing sector towards a solid component of a low carbon society.
The BE REEL! Project has a strong focus on capacity building throughout the project. Strategic capacity
building actions will catalyze the process towards the full implementation. In respect of capacity building
we would like to refer to heading 3. Actions and means involved, which collects all information on
capacity building by this proposed IP. The IP will strengthen partnerships and stakeholder engagement
and will build the capacity of those stakeholders. The IP will result in a committed governance and
stakeholder-framework capable of implementing the measures in the whole society. The capacity and
the commitment built up by the IP-actions, will have a sustainable nature and will serve the targets of
the regional renovation strategies for decades.
The Regions and local authorities in the partnership are very committed and active in mobilizing funds
for the implementation of the strategies (see financial plan). The cross-regional collaboration and
cooperation with local authorities, facilitated by the IP, will result in more efficient use of resources and
enhanced coordination in mobilizing funds (EU, public and private).
8. Expected major constraints and risks of the:
IP itself
1.
Lack of stakeholder support (including the general public) and uptake of the
developed instruments
A lack of stakeholder support could slow down the successful implementation of the deep renovation
actions and overall renovation strategies, so we need to involve the different stakeholders in a way that
their contribution delivers direct advantages (work, knowledge, project support). Strong involvement of
both professional actors as private persons is necessary. Approach to tackle this constraint:
The BE REEL! Project largely invests in public awareness, stakeholder engagement and
dissemination of results.
An exchange and knowledge platform will initiate best practices and innovations and will spread out
expertise and competences by training programs to obtain sector capacity for high-number and
high-grade housing renovations.This should allow accelerated uptake of advanced retrofitting
practices throughout the chain of retrofitting actors, includingbuilders and administrations.
A lot of efforts will be made to develop a qualitative renovation advice which is at the same time
detailed, user friendly and offers a big added value to general advice because it will be tailored
made for one specific house, including different scenario’s and cost estimation. Strong efforts will
be made for making the advice affordable, allowing wide uptake.
The combination of all E actions will ensure the wide transfer and uptake of the results of the IP in
Belgium and the EU through websites, newsletters, events, dissemination of guidelines an best
practices, technical publications, promotion BE REEL! Project on different local, regional, national
and EU for a, development and implementation of ambitious communication and marketing plans,
including adapted communication tools to different target groups and broad advertising.
2.
Lack of political support
A possible lack of political support, could slow down the implementation of the strategic actions. A clear
and sustained commitment from this and next governments on the objectives of the renovation strategy
and on a coherent roadmap will be of crucial nature in the next years and decades. Contacts with the
political level of Brussels Capital Region could facilitate the ongoing process of preparing a politically
approved long term renovation strategy.
3.
Budgetary limitations
The financial support of this IP will boost up the level of exchange and cooperation, speed up the
implementation of actions and hopefully facilitate extra financing, both public and private. Cost
efficiency and keeping the developed instruments and actions affordable is crucial, both for the public
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authorities and stakeholders directly involved, as for the target groups on who the general successful
take up will depend. Some project actions to counter these limitations:
The developed tools will be integrated in existing tool of the energy performance certificate, keeping
costs low thereby taking advantage of cross regional collaboration and most efficient use of means;
New models for financing collective renovations and energy loans (for example models like energy
performance contracting) are put forward by the financial sector;
Specifically related to demonstration projects there will be a constant investigation and effort to
lower costs e.g. through partnerships and analysis.
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4.
Technological difficulties /limitations
Realization of user-friendly and dynamic tools (housing passport, overall record) will face possible
technological difficulties. These will be overcome by realizing links with databases of other policy
areas. This involves a lot of analysis and programming. Although this process already started end
of 2015, the risk exists that some parts or functions take more time than foreseen. To counter that,
the phasing op the pilots takes this into account.
5.
Legal constraints
For several project actions there could be some legal constraints for deep renovation, so adjustment of
the current legislation is needed, e.g:
In the sector of co-ownership (where there always has to be a substantial majority of owners in
favor of renovation leading to situations where a minority can block ambitious renovation)
legal constraints in heritage protected houses
collective installation of renewable energy – solar panels
6.
Quality of renovation advice and audits
To avoid low quality, only trained and certified advisors and auditors will be allowed to deliver the
advice and only specifically trained auditors.
7.
Delays resulting from permit procedures (e.g. applications for building permits)
for demonstration/pilot actions
8..
Involvement of vulnerable population groups
The involvement of vulnerable population groups in the renovation strategy will be a big challenge.
Some actions of the IP have been specifically designed to face this challenge successfully:
Neighbourhood renovation, In some neighbourhoods there is a higher concentration of more
vulnerable people. It’s very important that these people are also able to participate in this project.
Budget neutral retrofitting for vulnerable families
Complementary actions
Political, budgetary and socio-economic evolutions in the long run
The evolution in energy prices: long lasting low energy prices could decrease willingness to
renovate
Available means and staff of public and local authorities and stakeholders for the nationwide
implementation of the ambitious renovation strategies
9. a) Is your project significantly climate related?
Yes
b) Is your project significantly biodiversity-related? Yes
x
No
No
If you consider your project to be significantly climate or biodiversity-related (you marked 'yes'),
please explain why:
The project is directly linked to the implementation of the European directive on energy efficiency (EED)
2012/27/EU, article 4 “Member States shall establish a long-term strategy for mobilizing investment in
the renovation of the national stock of residential and commercial buildings, both public and private”.
The project targets an ambitious greenhouse gas mitigation strategy for the residential buildings sector
of the Flemish and Walloon Region, which was responsible for 16 Million tonnes CO2 emissions in 2014
(14% of the total GHG-emissions for Belgium or 22% of total non-ETS emissions Belgium).The IP highly
contributes to reaching the future non-ETS GHG reduction targets for Belgium in the 2030 Climate and
Energy framework and will put Belgium on the way to achieve the transformation towards a low carbon
society as laid down in the 2050 low carbon roadmap.
All the actions and measures of the targeted strategies concern one central goal: a long-lasting strong
reduction of the emission of greenhouse gasses linked to a drastic drop in the energy consumption of
16
the housing sector of over 4,1 million dwellings. At the same time, cutting back the domestic energy
consumption in such a degree, and combining it with a growth in de-central energy production in the
housing sector, also facilitates the realization of an ambitious share of renewable energy sources in the
energy consumption.
Taking into account the central role housing plays in everyone’s life and in the economy, the project will
raise a broad public awareness on climate action that can support climate actions in different fields such
as mobility, industry,….
17
LIFE Integrated Projects 2016 - CNf
MAP OF THE GENERAL LOCATION OF THE PROJECT AREA(S) IN THE
COUNTRY/REGION
Vlaams Gewest: Flanders (project partner)
Waals Gewest: Wallonia (project partner)
Brussels Hoofdstedelijk gewest: Brussels Capital Region (not involved)
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF LOCATION(s) IN THE COUNTRY
The targeted strategies covers the regions of Flanders (Vlaams Gewest, 13.522 km², 6,4 million
inhabitants) and Wallonia (Waals Gewest, 16.844 km², 3,6 million inhabitants). At this point, the
Brussels Capital Region (Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, 32,6 km², 1,17 million inhabitants) is not
taking part in the project, although this region too is in the process of making up a strategic residential
renovation plan. The Brussels Capital Region will participate in the learning network that will be
established within the IP. Since the strategies focus on over 4,1 million residential buildings spread over
the entire area, the project an strategies target ultimately the complete regional areas.
The area(s) covered by the IP and of the complementary actions are similar.
In the first phase of the project the partner cities function as experimental zones for testing out methods
and tools before scaling them up after evaluation to as many cities and municipalities as possible.
Two Walloon cities (Mouscron and La Louviere) participate directly in the IP by proposing actions in
connection with both their Action Plan for Sustainable Energy (SEAP) but also in connection with the
renovation strategy since the actions proposed will test the tools developed in the IP.
In the Region of Flanders the cities of Ghent, Mechelen and Antwerp are the central partners in a large
number of concrete actions Since several actions will be worked out with other relevant stakeholders
(provincial advice centers on durable housing, social renting offices,…), several BE REEL! Activities will
pop up throughout the regions. In The Walloon Region the tools developed will be tested on a limited
number of Walloon cities selected by the regional administration in the form of a call for proposals. The
list of participating cities will be available at the full proposal.
Secondly, the complementary actions to the IP are designed to expand the use of tools (quickscan,
EAP, overall record, Housing Passport, Renovation Advice) throughout the entire territory. An
exchange of best practices and cooperation between regions will also diffuse the effects expected
beyond the regional territory
18
Belgium, cities participating as project beneficiary:
GENT
ANTWERP
MECHELEN
MOUSCRON
LA LOUVIERE
Maps can be provided in an A4 or A3 format
19
LIFE Integrated Projects 2016 – CNg
Sources of
financing
Actions/
measures to be financed
Amount of
funding
(EUR)
Status/date of
Funding
granted/
to be granted/
not yet
requested
Authority/
entity
managing
the fund
LIFE PROJECT:
EU contribution
Contribution by
beneficiaries
Contribution by
cofinancers
TOTAL LIFE IP
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
171.380 €
granted
EUEuropean
Commission
Antwerp:
708.432 €
Mechelen:
461.665 €
Ostend:
418.210 €
UGent:
396.775 €
Eandis:
117.160 €
Total Flemish
partners:
2.102.242 €
Autonoom
Gemeentebedrijf
Energiebesparingsfonds
Antwerpen:
608.522 €
Total
1.221.059 €
2.882.144 €
3.740.000 € for
Antwerp
1.500.000 € for
Ghent
13/7 full proposal
Referred back for
operational
reasons. Resubmit
10/10/2016.
Expected start
01/2017
EU
Concept note
approved 02/2016.
Full proposal
submitted. Granted
15/9/2016
EU
The calls opened on
10 March 2016.
Currently project
proposals are being
prepared.
EU- fund Agency
Enterprise
Flanders
Submitted
15/09/2016
EUEuropean
Commission:
DG Energy
0
EU FUNDS
Interreg FlandersNetherlands –
See2Do!
Interreg 2seas Triple
A. Mechelen and
Antwerp
Lower thresholds for
energy-efficiency
renovations by households
(thermography, renovation
advice, disseminate energy
efficiency techniques to
housing market) (Mechelen)
Adoption of low-carbon
technologies by homeowners
(other Belgian
partners Ostend,
Ghent University and
Grid Operator
Eandis)
Interreg North-West
Europe: ACEretrofitting
Antwerp
Accelerating Condominium
Energy Retrofitting
TOTAL INTERREG
EFRO Vlaanderen
Priority sustainable
urban development
(Antwerp and Ghent)
Smart use of space and
socio-economic
strengthening of deprived
neighbourhoods
TOTAL EFRO
H2020-EE-2015-4
PDA "FALCO”
Financing Ambitious Local
Climate Objectives
5.240.000 €
Budget Antwerp:
42.906 €
Budget Ghent :
40.000 €
20
H2020-EE-2014-10
"STEP-BY-STEP"
accompaniment of citizens
in order to lower their
energy consumption
H2020
Planheat Antwerp
(other
Belgian
partner: Vito)
tool for empowering local
authorities
in
the
development of sustainable
energy plans
TOTAL H2020
SUBTOTAL EU:
Budget
Ghent:
136.596 €
granted
EUEuropean
Commission:
DG Energy
Granted.
Start
project 01/10/2016
EU
Antwerp:
88.750 €
308.252 €
8.430.396 €
OTHER FUNDS
Flanders Region
Flanders Region
Flanders Region
Flanders Region
Flanders Region
Flanders Region
Walloon Region
Walloon Region
Walloon Region
Walloon Region
Establish detailed roadmap
2050 including definition of
actions, measures and
stakeholders involvement in
Region of Flanders
Defining a monitoring and
evaluation methodology for
progress and results of
Renovation Pact actions
Region of Flanders
Adaptation and reform of
the support mechanisms,
grants and loans for energy
savings investments in the
Region of Flanders
Large scale implementation
of new developed tools
enhancing renovation in the
of the Region of Flanders
Energy Efficiency Grants
issued by Energy Grid
Operators 2017 - 2022
200.000 €
Regional budget
Flemish
Region/VEA
80.000 €
Regional Budget
Flemish
Region/VEA
100.000 €
Regional Budget
Flemish
Region/VEA
800.000 €
Regional Budget
Flemish
Region/VEA
400.000.000 €
Flemish
Region/VEA
Flemish Energy Efficiency
Loans 2017 - 2022
Establish detailed roadmap
2050, and stakeholders’
involvement in Walloon
Region
Define monitoring and
evaluation methodology for
progress and result of
actions
General adaptation/reform
of the grants for energy
savings investments in the
Walloon Region
Large scale implementation
of new tools in the whole
300.000.000 €
80.000 €
Guaranteed Financed within the
tariff of electricity
as defined in
energy legislation,
for 6 years
Regional budget,
for 6 years
Regional budget
30.000 €
Regional budget
Walloon
Region
175.000 €
Regional budget
Walloon
Region
400.000 €
Regional budget
Walloon
Region
21
Flemish
Region/VEA
Walloon
Region
City of Antwerp
City of Antwerp
Project fund
sustainable city
(instrument city of
Antwerp)
Flemish city fund –
Antwerp
AG Vespa
(autonomous agency
city of Antwerp)
territory of the Walloon
Region.
Ecohouse Antwerp: Energy
services sustainable
renovation in period (20162020): 7 staff members
6 City neighbourhood
renovation information
centres in period 20162020: 18 staff members:
Private company Factor 4
received funding for project
‘energy performance
contracting renovation
apartment blocks
For Antwerp: Contract
sustainable city: project
EMA + ‘territory and
buildings’ policy
Buy and renovate dwellings
in deprived neighbourhoods
to resell and give a boost to
the neighbourhoods
“territory and buildings
policy”
1.800.000 €
Guaranteed in
multi-annual city
budget
City of
Antwerp
3.400.000 €
Guaranteed in
multi-annual city
budget
City of
Antwerp
20 000€
Granted
Factor 4
(private
company)
7.600.000 €
Amount
guaranteed/project
s to be requested +
granted annually
Guaranteed in
multi-annual op
AGVespa
Flemish
government
82.800.000 €
Subtotal public:
797.265.000 €
Private Funds
0€
Subtotal private:
International funds:
0€
0€
Total
complementary:
805.695.396 €
22
AG Vespa