Bill spending is worth 54.2 billion, +31% over 2015

With an annual renewal rate of 0.85%, compared to 1.7% in France and Germany, and 84.5% of buildings constructed before 1990, Italy has the oldest building stock in Europe. Despite an increase in the number of buildings in energy class A (from 2.9% to 3.8% between 2018 and 2025), 79% of Italian buildings are still in an energy class below D, highlighting the need for upgrades to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption.

Added to this are estimates that - with gross greenhouse gas emissions of 75.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2021 and considering the current inertial trend - the completion of the decarbonisation of the Italian building sector would not be achieved before 2103, well beyond the target set by the European Fit for 55 plan, which would require a reduction in emissions to 12.4 million tonnes by 2050. A delay that also has consequences for household spending on electrical and thermal building consumption, which has increased by 31% from 2015 to date and reached a value of EUR 54.2 billion.

Making the point is the third edition of the Community Smart Building by Teha Group, the first private and independent Think Tank in Italy, which launches seven proposals to promote the energy transition and accelerate the adoption of the Smart Building paradigm, thus contributing to the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the building sector.

The Smart Building sector already generates €163 billion in turnover and €43 billion in added value, employing 419,000 people and with the possibility of creating a further 200,000 new jobs by 2030. However, it will be crucial to train a new generation of professionals with green and smart skills, which are essential to accelerate the sustainable transition and ensure a future in line with decarbonisation and innovation objectives.

"The smart efficiency upgrading of older buildings would lead to a 29% reduction in energy consumption and a 5% reduction in water consumption, with an overall net saving of €17-19 billion. In order to accelerate the spread of Smart Building in Italy and promote the development of the related supply chain, the Community has collected the seven proposals by identifying three key areas of action," explains Lorenzo Tavazzi, senior partner and head of the Community Smart Building of Teha Group. "The first relates to skills, to develop upskilling and reskilling programmes for all operators in the extended supply chain, such as designers, contractors, installers and system builders, also in collaboration with the ITS Academy. The second area relates to incentives and financing, with the need to revise the incentive system to make it proportional to energy savings and to introduce a 'Libretto della casa', for the certification of interventions carried out in buildings. Finally, the focus is on awareness, promoting greater collaboration between the public and private sectors and improving coordination between the various stakeholders in the sector'.