Public buildings in Denmark are generally in poor condition. It has a number of visible – and less visible – negative consequences. Buildings in poor condition use significantly more energy, emit more CO2 and are far more expensive to operate. At the same time, the well-documented challenges with a poor indoor climate mean that children, young people and adults learn less and perform at a lower level than if the indoor climate had been good.

It is a big and overlooked problem for both society and the individual users of the buildings, according to a large number of organisations. They are now working together on a joint plan to raise the problem to the political agenda - and they are delivering a catalog of proposals that can improve the quality of public buildings.

The parties propose, among other things:

• A clear goal for renovation and reduction of public energy consumption
• Minimum requirements for the indoor climate in all public buildings
• A separate green plant ceiling

The proposals can also form a significant part of the solution to a number of new, significant EU requirements for increased energy efficiency. The requirements entail, among other things, that the municipalities must energy renovate 3 per cent. of the building area and save 1,9 per cent. of energy consumption – every year.

A major barrier to greener and healthier buildings is the construction ceiling, which limits the scope of investments by municipalities and regions in, among other things. energy renovation. The coalition is therefore proposing a green construction ceiling, which will boost green investments - to the benefit of the green transition, welfare and the economy.

Read the play out "Green and healthy welfare buildings".

Quotes

Katrine Bjerre, director of SYNERGI:
"Buildings are one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. We simply will not reach the goal of the green transition without far more modern, energy-efficient buildings. At the same time, the poor indoor climate in welfare buildings is perhaps the most overlooked area of ​​welfare in Denmark. Every day, our youngest and oldest citizens spend a large part of their time in public welfare buildings. We cannot be known to give them such a poor framework, as is the case in many places today. That is why I am happy that we have managed to gather a large and strong group of senders behind a clear message to the politicians: Prioritize green and healthy welfare buildings.”

Anders Stouge, deputy director of Danish Industry:
"Renovation of public buildings is essential for improving energy efficiency, green conversion, and for creating a better and healthier working environment for public employees and the many citizens who use the buildings. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that the public finances are secured to carry out investments in the renovation of its buildings. That economy is missing today.

Concretely, there is a need for a separate green building ceiling, so that the municipalities have funds to invest in a comprehensive renovation of the municipal buildings, where efforts have lagged far behind the need for many years. In addition, it is important to point out that public-private cooperation here also plays an important role in the effort, as private individuals will in many cases be able to operate public buildings."

Troels Blicher Danielsen, CEO of TEKNIQ Employers:

"It cannot be right that we have to see the same scenario repeat itself year after year: Public buildings waste precious energy because they are out of date. At the same time, they often struggle with poor indoor climate, because the area has been neglected for many years in the fight for the renovation crowns in the public budgets. It is not fair that it should affect both young and elderly citizens when we know what is needed to solve the problem and create a sustainable future.”

Nanna Højlund, vice-chairman of the main organization of the trade union movement:

"The public buildings are the framework for our welfare society and both employees and citizens deserve that the framework is up-to-date and in good condition. We must take advantage of the fact that we have many skilled professionals and companies that are at the forefront of energy efficiency. Energy renovation of public buildings provides benefits for both the working environment and health via better indoor climate, economy and the climate. We need to power that. However, the municipalities' finances are tight and set within too narrow a framework, which is why we propose a green construction ceiling and improved loan provisions that should give the municipalities better opportunities to renovate energy. We also propose a support pool for municipalities with low liquidity to help profitable investments along the way.”

Laura Klitgaard, chairman of the Engineers' Association IDA:

"As a former municipal developer, I myself have experience with the renovation of public buildings - and there are really big gains to be made for both the climate and users. But it requires political will and capital. There are far, far too many public buildings in Denmark that are in poor condition, but with the potential to become healthier and more energy efficient buildings. Therefore, it is high time that the politicians become clear about the target and set out joint guidelines as well as a target for renovation and reduction of public energy consumption.”

Bjarke Møller, director of the Green Transition Denmark:

"The public sector should operate as a green front-runner and reduce energy consumption in public buildings. High requirements should be set for energy renovation of public buildings. There is huge potential for saving energy in our buildings, and this can both reduce CO2 emissions and operating costs.”

Benny Yssing, chairman of the Danish Electricity Association:

"The public buildings must be more involved in the climate effort, and to that extent it is about electrification and more efficient use of energy. Investments in the short term will provide savings in the longer term, to the benefit of welfare. And when renovating, it is obvious to improve ventilation and lighting, our children and the elderly in the institutions deserve that.”

Palle Thomsen, CEO of Danske Byggecentre:

"We simply cannot afford to ignore the growing need for greener and healthier welfare buildings. It is time we prioritized the modernization of our older and outdated public buildings. By investing in these green initiatives, we not only ensure a sustainable future, but also a healthier and more comfortable everyday life for our fellow citizens.”

Dorte Nørregaard Larsen, director of Energiforum Denmark:

"It is good for the climate and the operating budget, provides greater job satisfaction, better learning and better health. One can wonder that renovating and maintaining public buildings has not long since become a political winner. Fortunately, an entire industry is ready to help take on the task, and we look forward to getting started"

Thomas Brücker, sector chairman in the Technical and Service sector, FOA:

"The municipal buildings and halls are the focal point for a great many activities, and these buildings form the framework for a large part of the welfare that the municipalities provide. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that these buildings are in a good and healthy condition. Buildings' lack of maintenance is the cause of cold, dampness and mould, while poorly maintained buildings have an excessively high energy consumption. Use the skills of the many skilled technical employees to qualify the renovations that are needed, and use them in the operation of the buildings. Poor maintenance is expensive for society, it takes money from welfare and it emits far too much CO2.”

Per Rømer Kofod, CEO of VELTEK:

"It is imperative that we meet the green transition in construction, and here it is absolutely crucial that we use modern, intelligent and demand-driven installations, as the latest technologies in water, heating, electricity and ventilation can provide very large energy savings. Furthermore, it is only through this that we can achieve the necessary energy efficiency at the same time as an up-to-date and healthy indoor climate."

Henrik W. Petersen, chairman of the Tin and Pipe Workers' Association:

"There are enormous perspectives in the renovations of our public buildings. We know, for example, from numerous scientific studies that a poor indoor climate means poorer well-being and poorer learning in our schools. It is therefore completely natural to invest in mechanical ventilation. Better mechanical ventilation provides more well-being and better learning. It's that simple. An investment that, moreover, pays for itself relatively quickly. After all, we know that a poor indoor climate means higher sickness absence among staff. This does not just apply in schools, but in all public buildings. So more welfare and more hands actually come out of investing in daycare centers, schools and nursing homes.”

Søren Sand Kirk, director of BAT – the Building, Construction and Timber Cartel:

“It should be a no-brainer. The state and municipalities will save money, CO2 emissions will decrease and our children's learning, the elderly's quality of life and the employees' working environment will be significantly improved."

Facts about public buildings
En analysis from the Association of Consulting Engineers shows that there is a total renovation backlog in the public building stock of at least DKK 70 billion. DKK. At the same time, figures from a report, which Transition has done for SYNERGI, that 7 out of 10 municipal buildings have a poor energy label and are therefore very far from being compatible with the green transition and building requirements from the EU. In the same report, almost half of the municipalities answer that they have no targets for saving energy, while only a third have targets for improving the indoor climate in their buildings, even though there are 16 billion DKK to be raised by improving the air, light and sound level in primary schools and daycare centers. Three out of five municipally owned buildings were built before 1980, when energy requirements were first introduced in the building regulations

Every year the Danes barely miss one half a million. working days as a result of poor indoor climate. Measurements has shown that more than 9 out of 10 classrooms in Danish primary schools have a poor indoor climate during the school day. This has major consequences for learning. Pupils taught in a good indoor climate can be the equivalent of a whole year's curriculum ahead of pupils in a poor indoor climate when they reach 9th grade