Over 80% of Italian buildings are under class D, how to improve energy efficiency

Over 80% of Italian buildings were built before 1990 and belong to the lowest energy classes, often lower than D. An old and inefficient real estate heritage that heavily impacts the energy consumption of families. It is no coincidence that in 2023, household bills reached 54.2 billion euros, with an increase of 31% compared to 2015.

To respond to this economic and environmental emergency, the TEHA Group Smart Building Community has developed 7 concrete proposals to accelerate the green transition of construction and promote the spread of smart buildings. From the “House Booklet” to operator training, from targeted incentives to citizen awareness, the solutions focus on innovation, efficiency and awareness.

The Italian construction sector is facing the challenge of the obsolescence of its real estate assets: with an annual renewal rate of 0.85% , compared to 1.7% in France and Germany, and 84.5% of buildings constructed before 1990, Italy has the oldest building stock in Europe . Despite an increase in buildings in energy class A (from 2.9% to 3.8% between 2018 and 2025), 79% of Italian buildings are still in an energy class lower than D , highlighting the need for redevelopment interventions to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption.

Added to this are the estimates according to which – with gross greenhouse gas emissions equal to 75.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2021 and considering the current inertial trend – the completion of the decarbonisation of the Italian building sector would not be achieved before 2103 , well beyond the target set by the European Fit for 55 plan, which would require a reduction in emissions to 12.4 million tonnes by 2050. A delay that also has consequences on household spending on electricity and heating consumption in buildings , which has increased by 31 % from 2015 to today and has reached a value of 54.2 billion euros .

In this scenario, the conversion to the Smart Building paradigm is increasingly urgent. The Smart Building supply chain already generates 163 billion euros in turnover and 43 billion euros in Added Value, employing 419 thousand workers ¹ and with the possibility of creating a further 200 thousand new jobs by 2030. However, it will be essential to train a new generation of professionals with green and smart skills, essential to accelerate the sustainable transition and guarantee a future in line with the objectives of decarbonisation and innovation.

The third edition of the Smart Building Community by TEHA Group , the 1st private and independent Think Tank in Italy, takes stock of the situation. With the support of its partners ABB, ANCE Lombardia, BTicino, IRSAP, KONE, MCZ Group and Principe Ares, the Community is launching 7 proposals to promote the energy transition and accelerate the adoption of the Smart Building paradigm, thus contributing to the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the building sector.

The third edition of the TEHA Group Smart Building Community has identified 7 concrete proposals to fill the skills gap, promote innovative financial tools, simplify access to incentives and strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors. Through targeted interventions, such as upskilling programs, the “Home Booklet” and green financing models, the proposals aim to promote the spread of Smart Buildings, contributing to energy efficiency, technological innovation and emissions reduction objectives.

1. Develop upskilling and reskilling programs – The spread of Smart Buildings can generate environmental, economic and social benefits and create qualified employment in the construction industry, with approximately 200 thousand new specialized jobs in the near future. However, in 2023, difficulties in finding new workers were found in 57.6% of new entries in the construction sector, due to the lack of candidates and their inadequate preparation. To fill the skills gap , the Smart Building Community proposes to develop upskilling and reskilling programs in the field of Smart Buildings to support all operators in the extended supply chain, through concrete and on-the-job experiences that include the issuing of professional qualification certificates recognized at national and European level.

2. Strengthen collaboration with ITS – ITS Academies play a fundamental role in training the green and smart skills required by the sector. Thanks to collaboration between education and businesses, it is possible to bridge the skills gap in the sector: between 2015 and 2024, ITS trained 46,616 students through over 1,800 courses, working with 2,422 companies and 226 business associations. 87% of graduates find work within a year, and 93.8% in an area consistent with their study path.

For this reason, the TEHA Group Community reiterates in its proposals the importance of strengthening this collaboration, developing targeted paths with practical “on the job” experiences to train professionals capable of responding to the needs of the smart building sector.