Securing a clean, sustainable and reliable energy supply is arguably the greatest challenge Europe will face in the 21st Century. The energy we rely on comes from finite natural resources and is subject to depletion. And it’s not only a question of when the oil will run out . The impact of fossil fuel consumption on global warming is now well understood. For those who wish to reduce the carbon footprints of their buildings there is a growing array of energy efficient appliances to help ‘green’ homes and work spaces. From solar energy through to long-life light bulbs, the options are endless. Making the best choice can be daunting. The smartest investment – both for the environment and your pocket – is to choose proven technology that substantially reduces your demand for energy. As the McKinsey/Vattenfall study clearly demonstrates, better insulation is the most profitable way to reduce CO2 emissions.Not only does insulation provide the greatest reduction in carbon emissions, but retrofitting your house or office will actually save you money; a lot of money ! The Trias Energetica a model developed by the Delft University of Technology– acts as a guide when pursuing energy sustainability in the building sector. The Trias Energetica makes clear that energy savings have to come first on the path to environmental protection. Only when a building has been designed to minimise the energy loss, should the focus shift to renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels or heat exchange and recovery systems. As oil price trends indicate, the era of an unbridled supply of cheap energy is over. Fossil fuels are becoming scarce and clean energy has yet to become fully scalable. Saving energy provides the most immediate and effective way to slow global warming. Insulation is the easiest way to slash energy consumption and it also increases comfort. It is often referred to as the low-hanging fruit of the climate change debate. In striving to make Europe’s stock of residential, commercial and public buildings climate-neutral a strict low-energy diet is required. It’s time to insulate! https://www.eurima.org/energy-efficiency-in-buildings/trias-energetica