Background information

The idea of the Programme Accelerating Sustainability in the Built Environment is that a sustainable home should be within reach for everyone. This is good for the climate, prevents high energy bills and makes us less dependent on natural gas. To achieve this, the government is committed to tackling all poorly insulated homes and buildings by 2030. Special attention is paid to people with small funds: new financing options will make it possible for them to insulate their homes affordably.

Content of measure

Particular efforts are being made to save energy and improve insulation. The aim is to insulate 2.5 million homes by 2030. The next step is to switch from climate-unfriendly natural gas to sustainable and clean energy with (hybrid) heat pumps and sustainable heat networks. The government wants to install 1 million heat pumps by 2030. In addition, there will be a blending obligation for green gas.

The Programme on Sustainability in the Built Environment is committed to five action lines:

• Approach via municipalities (the government will compensate municipalities and provinces for their implementation costs. There will be a national programme to support local heat transition and a clear legal framework. In addition to the new Heat Act, work is underway on the Municipal Instruments for Heat Transition Act);
• Individual approach to homes (the government wants to unburden homeowners and improve the conditions to participate. Through attractive energy savings loans and mortgages and higher subsidies. It will also be possible to receive subsidies for a single insulation measure. From 2026, the hybrid heat pump will become the new standard. This means that when replacing central heating systems, people will have to switch to a system that uses less or no natural gas, provided the house is suitable for it. Rental properties will also be made more sustainable. There will be standards and requirements for improving insulation and modifying heating installations.)
• Approach to non-residential buildings (utility buildings with poor energy labels (E, F and G) will also be addressed. With a combination of subsidies, standardisation and relief, the sustainability of social property and offices will be accelerated);
• Stimulating sustainable sources and heat infrastructure (natural gas will be partially replaced by green gas. By blending green gas, the government wants to encourage the development of sustainable sources. These must be sufficiently and affordably available by 2050. In addition, the instruments and conditions for new infrastructure (heat networks) will be realised and the production of heat via sustainable sources will be better supported and scaled up.);
• Innovative and sustainable building (the government wants construction and remodelling to be more innovative and sustainable. By helping the construction industry to reduce costs, increase productivity and thus make sustainability more efficient. To make this possible, the government encourages innovative construction methods and techniques and better cooperation within the sector. In doing so, construction will also have to become more nature-inclusive, emission-free and circular).

Use of measure

In 2022, among other things, natural gas consumption in homes fell by some 15 percent, some 100,000 heat pumps were installed, the number of subsidy applications doubled and more than two hundred thousand homes received a better energy label. Through 2030, a total of €13 billion will be invested in sustainability measures for the entire built environment. On top of that, €1.5 billion will be invested in making homes in Groningen more sustainable.

In 2023, natural gas consumption decreased by another 10% compared to 2022, even though the winters were similar in terms of temperature. As in 2022, part of the reduction was due to measures taken, and part was due to changes in behaviour.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Unknown involvement of social partners.

Views and reactions

No social partner views known.

Sources

• 16 June 2023: Voortgangsrapportage Programma versnelling Verduurzaming Gebouwde Omgeving (PVGO) (www.rijksoverheid.nl)
• 10 June 2024: Voortgangsrapportage Programma Versnelling Verduurzaming Gebouwde Omgeving (PVGO) 2024 (www.rijksoverheid.nl)