Lut Bollen - EWI & Bart Ingelaere - Buildwise

The building sector is crucial for achieving EU's energy and climate goals.  The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is under revision to reflect higher ambitions for the building stock in Europe to deliver on the European Green Deal.  Research and Innovation is crucial to deal with all challenges to make our existing and new buildings “zero-emission”.  A European coordinated R&I approach will considerably accelerate the uptake of innovative solutions the building sector needs. The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) co-ordinates low-carbon R&I activities and efforts in European countries, “R&I for energy-efficiency solutions for buildings” being one of the key priorities. This offers many opportunities to boost actions in the building sector, but the building sector has already started its transformation under the impulse of many research & innovation stakeholders. As an example, Buildwise being the private innovation centre for the construction sector in Belgium, will elaborate on their mission to contribute in general to innovation and development in the construction sector in Belgium.