Map of Policies Supporting Thermal Efficiency in Germany’s Residential Building Sector

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) maps the policy landscape for thermal energy efficiency in Germany's residential building sector. It categorizes policies into financial instruments, information tools, and performance standards, analyzing how they interact to drive energy demand reductions. The document details specific federal programs, their objectives, and their estimated impacts on building owners and contractors.

• Germany has set ambitious energy targets for the building sector, aiming to reduce primary energy demand by 80% by 2050 and heating demand by 20% by 2020. To support these goals, the government intends to increase the thermal retrofit rate from 0.8% to 2%.
• The report identifies three primary categories of energy efficiency policies: financial instruments to improve investment economics, information instruments to highlight benefits and options, and standards that mandate performance requirements. These policies are complementary; for example, financial instruments often require accompanying information tools to communicate savings and increase application rates.
• Financial support is primarily delivered through the KfW Bankengruppe, which provided 9,000 million EUR in 2010 via the 'Energieeffizient Bauen' (new construction) and 'Energieeffizient Sanieren' (renovation) programs, supporting nearly one million dwelling units. Other financial tools include the Market Incentive Programme Renewable Energies (MAP), which provided 374 million EUR in 2009 for renewable heating, and §35a of the income tax law, which allows a tax deduction of 20% of retrofit labour costs up to 1,200 EUR per year.
• Information instruments target different stages of the decision-making process: moving 'uninterested' owners to 'planning' (via mass media and heating bills), moving 'planning' owners to 'action' (via energy audits, the internet, and desk advice), and supporting contractors in implementation (via apprenticeship and master training). Energy audits are noted as cost-effective, with the BAFA 'Vor-Ort-Beratung' estimated at 4.7 EUR/tCO2.
• The Energy Savings Ordinance (EnEV 2009) is the primary performance standard for new and existing buildings. For existing buildings, it applies if at least 10% of a component's surface is retrofitted. However, compliance is a challenge; non-compliance estimates for new buildings in Germany range from 25% to 35%, and is likely higher for existing buildings.
• The Renewable Energies Heat Act (EEWärmeG) mandates minimum renewable heat production for new buildings (e.g., 15% solar, 30% gaseous biomass, or 50% other biomass/geothermal). While it has a stricter control system than EnEV, its additional impact is expected to be low because builders can offset renewable energy installations by reducing thermal shell insulation under EnEV requirements.

APA

Amecke, H., & Neuhoff, K. (2011). Map of Policies Supporting Thermal Efficiency in Germany’s Residential Building Sector. Climate Policy Initiative. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Policy-Map.pdf

Chicago

Amecke, Hermann, and Karsten Neuhoff. Map of Policies Supporting Thermal Efficiency in Germany’s Residential Building Sector. Climate Policy Initiative, 2011. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Policy-Map.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Amecke |first1=Hermann |last2=Neuhoff |first2=Karsten |title=Map of Policies Supporting Thermal Efficiency in Germany’s Residential Building Sector |publisher=Climate Policy Initiative |date=23 August 2011 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Policy-Map.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{amecke2011map, author = {Amecke, Hermann and Neuhoff, Karsten}, title = {{Map of Policies Supporting Thermal Efficiency in Germany’s Residential Building Sector}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2011}, month = aug, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Policy-Map.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }