Regulating retrofit activity, and in such a way that encourages more intensive energy retrofit measures, poses a unique set of policy challenges to overcome, well beyond the conventional framing of building codes as a minimum standard of building and energy performance. Nonetheless, the need for a practical regulatory framework that encourages deep reductions in energy and emissions in the existing building stock can be expected to become more urgent as the pace of retrofit activity increases over time.

This points to a role for MEPS, as part of a policy package that includes financing and technical support, as a way to overcome the significant barriers that have hindered energy retrofits to date. MEPS have the advantage of signalling a long-term transition of the built environment and, in doing so, encourage continued investments in coordinated supply chains as well as innovative technologies and process that will further accelerate the pace and depth of retrofits.

In our next article, we will look at the key considerations that go into the effective design and implementation of MEPS and draw lessons from leading jurisdictions that have leveraged MEPS to successfully elevate energy performance standards in their jurisdiction.