Mr. Noll, energy prices are continuing to rise. This is one reason why the topic of energy efficiency is becoming more important for private households, property owners and companies like Xella. A survey commissioned by DENEFF revealed that German citizens would like politicians to take a much more determined approach to climate protection in the building sector. What would DENEFF like to see?
We share this view. Energy efficiency is the key to effective climate protection, affordable energy and buildings with a high quality of life. But we need bold decisions now, because in Germany we are still lagging far behind our own climate targets. That's why we expect the future government to come up with a binding energy efficiency strategy, also to drive forward climate protection and digitization in construction and housing. In order to get closer to the goal of a climate-neutral building stock by 2045, reliable incentives must be put in place now.
What do you mean specifically?
The new government must set minimum energy standards for existing buildings with particularly high consumption. It is important to provide sufficient accompanying subsidies for sustainable buildings for everyone, whether private or commercial property owners. It should also gear its subsidies more closely to savings results. These three measures alone could save more than 20 million tons of CO2 in 2030. The measures should be financed via the revenue from CO2 pricing.
Don't government requirements restrict the freedom of action of climate-innovative sectors like the construction industry too much?
It's a matter of "how." Smart standards also give companies planning security. Many German and European companies are already global leaders in technical solutions for greater energy efficiency. The demand generated by this supply is already boosting value creation in Germany and Europe. Studies show that 600,000 people already work in this field in Germany. Sensible regulation is the ideal combination of effective climate protection, domestic value creation and new, sustainable jobs - also in the construction industry.
When it comes to climate protection, the issue of technology neutrality is a contentious one. This approach of not favoring one technology over another per se is controversial. Critics argue that climate-neutral technologies in the construction sector should be given preferential treatment in order to establish them on the market. What does DENEFF expect from regulatory and subsidy policy in the coming years?
We need to move away from the petty issue of promoting individual technologies or prescribing them. In the construction industry, too, climate-neutral innovations are developed when their researchers can think in all directions.
Before the election, DENEFF presented a catalog of measures for climate and energy policy in the coming years. How can Xella get more involved there than it has in the past?
We are very pleased that Xella experts have been involved with us for many years. Exciting innovations such as Digital Twins, in which all construction steps can be simulated even before they begin, are of interest to all our members. Here, Xella wants to combine "analog" building materials with digital services in order to conserve resources and relieve customers of costs. This approach makes sense in many industries. And with lighthouse projects such as Vario Wohnen in Kassel, Xella is also providing impetus for the entire industry.
You're talking about the construction project with 41 multi-room apartments for students and trainees in Kassel's new Martini Quarter, an old brewery site. Thanks to barrier-free and elderly-friendly design, the complex can be used flexibly in the future.
Of course, the aspect of serial construction with a modular system is also exciting. This building with industrially prefabricated parts not only saves costs and construction time, but also resources.
Do we need new subsidy programs or regulations for more climate protection in building, insulating and renovating?
We don't need more regulations, we need smarter ones.
You'll have to explain that.
Germany is promoting energy modernization, which is important for CO2 reduction, with a record sum of 18 billion euros this year. Many energy efficiency measures are also being promoted at EU level. In other countries, things are not yet looking so good in terms of CO2 reduction through more energy-efficient construction or renovation.
To drive climate protection forward, new energy-saving standards and subsidies must be cleverly combined. For example, the EU Commission has announced a major renovation wave of older real estate stock. This offers enormous energy-saving potential for the future. But the EU is not yet as far along as the companies. Brussels could create a common framework for all countries in Europe and thus ensure greater climate protection. This is so important because energy efficiency is the royal road to CO2 reduction. It makes consumers, property owners and companies alike more resilient to new energy price shocks.
