The role of buildings in the energy transition in the context of the climate change challenge

Abstract

In order to redefine the influence of the energy and technological transitions upon the challenge of climate change this paper shows that buildings are key agents. This paper discusses the importance of addressing building energy efficiency in a holistic and transformational way, to avoid that incremental measures increase the lock-in effect. Moreover, policies should consider a demand-side energy transition, contrary to today’s discourse, where the supply side and energy production are prominent. Finally, the most important issues in this energy transition are intergenerational divide and justice.