Scholarly record

STRATEGIES FOR BUILDINGS ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN ITALY: FINANCIAL IMPACT OF SUPERBONUS 2020

Umberto Mecca, Giuseppe Moglia, Francesco Prizzon, Manuela Rebaudengo

Abstract

The global climate emergency has among its main causes the emission of large quantities of CO2 due to human activities. There are many policies implemented so far worldwide, but as the Union Square climate clock in the heart of Manhattan highlights, a greater effort is needed. The work of Gan Golan and Andrew Boyd shows, with its countdown, how much time we have left to limit carbon emissions before we reach a point of no return. According to the World Green Building Council, 39% of total energy-related carbon emissions are caused by buildings, and in particular the large amounts of energy is needed to ensure comfort inside them. Since most of Europe's building stock is made up of residential buildings and many of them were built before 1970, i.e. before the first energy standards, to achieve tangible results in the fight against climate change, policies must be designed and implemented to encourage efficiency gains. In Italy, there are several strategies that aim to stimulate the renovation of buildings, but among all, the most promising one, called "Superbonus", has just come into force. In fact, since July 2020, with the desire to restart the construction sector strongly penalized by the COVID-19 epidemic, it has been implemented a policy that by cutting costs for property owners strongly encourages energy efficiency works. With this research work, through the analysis of a theoretical case, we will identify the potential costs of intervention borne by an end user also analyzing the bureaucratic process to be addressed and the professional figures involved. The analysis carried out will allow to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of this policy, as well as the advantages deriving from it both from a social and environmental point of view.

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