Tomorrow my territory 06 Decreasing the ecological footprint of buildings in my territory

Eco-responsible construction and renovation

November 2019

Agence pour l’Environnement et la Maîtrise de l’Energie (ADEME)

The 20 factsheets in the collection « demain MON TERRITOIRE » have been designed to give candidates and elected officials practical keys to take action, to open up the field of possibilities based on the experiences of other elected officials, from small towns to conurbations, large urban areas or sparsely populated areas. In the four corners of France, both in metropolitan France and in the French Overseas Territories, many of them are taking action, together with the players in their territories, to prepare for the future by taking action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects. With its knowledge and presence throughout the country, ADEME supports them with its tools, activities and financial aid.

Why is improving the environmental performance of buildings important?

The building sector is one of the largest consumers of energy. By acting on the territory’s stock of housing, offices and public buildings, the municipality can have a real impact on the territory’s carbon footprint. The Energy Transition Law thus sets an obligation of exemplary behaviour for public buildings, in particular that all new construction must be « positive energy » and « high environmental performance ». But the challenge also lies in the renovation of existing buildings! It is in the interest of local authorities to embark on this path. To reduce the carbon footprint of the territory. To reduce their energy bills. To create economic activity by using local professionals and materials. Beyond the municipal heritage, a broader action must be deployed to encourage the thermal renovation of private buildings. It also means offering citizens gains in purchasing power and a more pleasant living environment.

How do you do it?

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