Energy efficiency trends in the Greek building sector: a participatory approach

Energy efficiency (EE) is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption, secure the energy supply and achieve a country’s environmental targets while preserving business as usual in most economic sectors. In order to achieve efficient energy use, updates to industrial processes, building stock and other sectors are needed, and, thus, capital should be redirected to energy efficiency investments. Nevertheless, project developers usually struggle to find finance for their project ideas since there is a knowledge gap between them and financing institutions, who, most of the time, have no technical background to assess the profitability that emerges from the multidimensional benefits of energy efficiency measures. An analysis of the current situation, while also identifying the main barriers and difficulties that policymakers and EE professionals are facing, is crucial to developing a feasible plan for increasing EE measures in the building sector. The aim of this study is to analyse the EE situation in the Greek building stock by utilizing a stakeholder engagement approach involving highly relevant key actors, gathering their input, and depicting it in statistical analysis. The results of the study reveal that the building’s EE profile is considered an asset for long-term capital investments, while a lack of capital, high costs and the pandemic of 2019 compose some of the major factors that hinder the implementation of EE measures.