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Innovation, low energy buildings and intermediaries in Europe: systematic case study review

Journal Article

Buildings make up 40% of total energy use throughout their life cycle in Europe, which makes reducing energy use of the building stock a challenging and important task. These efforts are further complicated by a range of factors, including slow renewal and renovation rates of buildings, multiple non-coordinated actors, conservative building practices and limited competence to innovate. To analyse this challenge, Dr Paula Kivimaa and Dr Mari Martiskainen’s article conducts a systematic review of case studies on low energy innovations in the European residential building sector by analysing their drivers, identifying that environmental concerns, EU and national and local policies have been the key drivers. Specific attention is paid to intermediary actors in facilitating innovation processes and creating new opportunities.