Deutsches Energieberater-Netzwerk (DEN) e.V.

March 17th and 18th, 2025
The climate crisis transcends national borders and calls for collective action. In light of the growing importance of our work, it is necessary to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another across borders.

The German Consultants Network (DEN) e.V. hosted the first European meeting for professionals in energy efficiency and sustainable construction, bringing together dedicated experts from across Europe. Over the course of two days, attendees engaged in lively discussions and reflected on ways energy consultants could amplify their voices within the EU, tackling shared challenges collaboratively.

Marita Klempnow, Chairwoman of DEN, expressed her delight: „It’s wonderful that we are finally connecting on a European scale. Nearly 23 years ago, we established our network here in Germany to unite independent energy consultants and draw the attention of ministries and politicians. With many regulations impacting our work now being established in Brussels, it is crucial for our industry to gain recognition there.”

Stefanie Koepsell, board spokesperson, highlighted the practical implications of upcoming legislation: „The latest version of the European Building Directive (EPBD) must be transposed into law by 2026. Although the Directive recognizes the role of energy consultants (defining them as “one-stop shops”), it fails to fully recognize their significance. We translate climate policies directly into society, guiding homeowners and companies from initial planning to the quality-assured implementation of modernization measures. It is essential to make our profession and its impact more visible.“

→ Report (english)

→ Press Release (german)

→ DEN Podcast: Implications of the EPBD (german)

Insights into the EU: On Long Decision-Making Processes and a New Zeitgeist

To chart a course forward, DEN welcomed representatives from politics, industry, and research to discuss EU decision-making frameworks and the complexities of effective lobbying. Jutta Paulus, Member of the European Parliament, offered an insider’s perspective on the evolving political climate. She noted a shift in committee priorities with climate protection increasingly taking a back seat. Crucial measures such as CO2 pricing, vital for EPBD’s success, are now facing opposition from certain member states. Simultaneously, influential coalitions are advocating for a renewed emphasis on nuclear power. Paulus reluctantly acknowledges that political pressure may not be enough to bring dissenting nations back in alignment with the Green Deal objectives.
The challenges of generating sufficient momentum for enhanced climate protection and sound building policies were underscored by several speakers, particularly Johann Zirngibl. Speaking on behalf of Rehva, a European umbrella organization for national building technology associations, Zirngibl highlighted the fragmented landscape of calculation standards for energy-efficient buildings. With 31 distinct regulations across 27 EU member states, consistent evaluation of buildings across different countries seems impossible. This lack of harmonization also negatively impacts energy consultants, as it prevents them from working in other EU-countries.

Although the EU has already subsidized several research projects in this area—often with notable generosity—Zirngibl remains pessimistic. National and economic interests, such as those of software manufacturers and specialist publishers, form a powerful and influential opposition, having already „watered down“ the EPBD through their influence. Ralf Pasker, Managing Director of the European Association for External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS), emphasized the competitive nature of Brussels. Referring to the lengthy timeline of European decision-making, he explained the importance of acting early—before the publication of a first draft directive—and placing arguments in the right channels. Successfully bringing the perspective of energy consultants to the European level, as DEN aims to do, requires strong organization and proactive efforts. Andrea Voigt, Head of Public Relations at Danfoss, echoed this sentiment. Like Paulus, she observed a change in priorities, noting that policy discussions now center more on competition and industry rather than on climate. Precisely for this reason, she stressed the importance of leveraging opportunities presented by the new EPBD, advancing its national implementation swiftly and effectively. Voigt enthusiastically shared examples from her company’s climate-neutral campus and criticized the EPBD for failing to offer calculation frameworks for such projects. Sybill Steuwer and Susanne Winkel offered a slightly different perspective during their lectures. Steuwer, representing the think tank BPIE (Building Performance Institute Europe), showcased selected projects that demonstrate the EU’s efforts to support member states. Winkel, responsible for training at the Passive House Institute (PHI), highlighted the effectiveness of her employer’s approach. The PHI standard is utilized by an ever-expanding network of well-connected planners worldwide, driving the modernization and construction of highly efficient buildings despite a shifting political landscape.

While this strategy has evident strengths, Klempnow stated, „We cannot achieve climate goals with a ‚bottom-up building transition‘ alone. Pressure on decision-makers is crucial. We need effective advocates for sustainable construction and independent energy consulting to create impactful change.“ Colleague Koepsell concurs: „We are the ones who put the directive into practice, mediating between legislation, climate protection, and consumer needs. Yet, our profession is barely mentioned in the EPBD. Energy Consultancy isn’t even a protected profession! We need to build networks and learn from each other to communicate our challenges back to decision-making institutions.“

“Buildings do not travel, they have a cultural background”

The initial reports on Romania, France, and Germany highlighted the challenges of aligning energy consultants across the EU. The varied building and renovation practices in these countries (as well as across all member states) lead to differing approaches to implementing the EPBD. As a result, energy consultants face unique challenges.

Romania, for example, lies in an earthquake zone, where energy consultants are legally required to prioritize structural safety during renovations. Despite the significant need, skepticism about energy efficiency measures remains widespread, as Passive House planner Marius Soflete explains. In this formerly communist country, cost-effective fossil heating systems are the preferred choice, while centralized heating systems and heat pumps are often met with distrust.

In Germany, the heating issue remains the biggest challenge to decarbonizing the building stock. Single-family and two-family homes account for a large share of buildings, with most relying on oil or gas for heating. „We need to reach many people and inspire them to adopt efficient building technology,“ says Koepsell. She criticized the political volatility of German politics, particularly regarding subsidies. According to Koepsell, the work of energy consultants is heavily driven by state subsidies—or the lack thereof. The industry advocates for a protected professional title and clear quality assurance regulations to govern entry into the profession. Consultants organized within DEN also critique complex and, at times, contradictory calculation methods, calling for a stronger focus on real consumption data.

France presents a contrasting picture. Despite partially unstable power grids, the country continues to rely on nuclear power, as Martina Kost, an energy consultant for commercial buildings, explains. Many buildings fall into efficiency class E and require renovation. To address this, building data is centrally recorded, and inefficient buildings cannot legally be rented. However, as Kost humorously notes, under significant social pressure, calculations have been adjusted, leading to buildings and apartments being ‚renovated‘ into higher efficiency classes—climate protection achieved on paper.

Identifying Common Concerns

This kind of „improvement“ of buildings, which is also practiced in other European countries, was strongly criticized during the discussion. The group agreed that the different calculation standards are an obstacle to a successful building transition and that harmonization within the EU would be beneficial.
The attendees further emphasized the importance of a reliable political framework for achieving climate goals within the building sector. This point was substantiated through practical examples and a referenced study, which demonstrated that stable political conditions, such as those in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, promote higher renovation rates. Conversely, volatile political developments in countries like Germany and Italy were found to impede progress.
Communication was another central theme of the discussions. The group debated strategies for motivating people to carry out energy-efficient renovations, highlighting concerns over the lack of research and investment in this area. Ideally, a billion-dollar communication campaign would shift the focus away from costs and highlight the benefits of renovations, such as improved indoor climate, mold prevention, and increased property value. After all, people rarely question the return on investment for a luxury kitchen or an expensive car. Similarly, the state must move beyond emphasizing the costs of achieving a climate-neutral building stock. Historical examples (Schrottpreisprämie) show how targeted incentives can stimulate the economy and revitalize industries. The building transition offers significant opportunities—for politics, the economy, and property owners alike.
„The lively discussions and inspiring insights into the various (building and renovation) cultures of our neighbors have shown that despite our differences, we face shared challenges,“ concludes Stefanie Koepsell. „We as DEN see great potential in a European networked industry and are excited to forge new alliances and friendships.“