Energiesprong Global Alliance

The Problem

Buildings are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions globally, and retrofitting existing housing stock is a critical challenge in the transition to net-zero. In Europe alone, buildings account for roughly 36% of emissions and 40% of energy consumption, yet progress toward legally binding targets to make all building stock net-zero by 2050 is already falling behind. Retrofitting Europe’s 200 million residential buildings remains one of the continent’s most timely climate challenges.

The consequences are particularly severe for the 25 million households living in public, social, and cooperative housing. Many of these homes are poorly insulated and energy inefficient, driving up heating costs and exposing residents to unhealthy living conditions. At the same time, housing providers face major barriers to renovation. Traditional retrofits rely on slow and expensive construction processes that require complex coordination among contractors, suppliers, and regulators. Fragmented markets, inconsistent national policies, and limited access to long-term financing further slow progress. Without new models that dramatically simplify and scale retrofits, climate commitments remain unfulfilled, and millions of tenants are left with inefficient and costly housing — mirroring a challenge faced by aging housing systems worldwide.

The Solution

Energiesprong Global Alliance (EGA) accelerates large-scale retrofits of public and social housing, improving tenant living conditions while dramatically reducing building emissions. The Energiesprong approach turns complex renovations into fast, standardized upgrades by using prefabricated exterior facades, insulated roofs with integrated solar panels, and all-electric mechanical systems manufactured off-site and installed on existing buildings. Many retrofits can be completed in seven to 10 days with minimal disruption to tenants — dramatically improving energy performance while allowing residents to remain in their homes.

EGA operates through in-country Market Development Teams (MDTs). Similar to a franchise partner, each MDT works with housing providers, construction companies and their supply chains, governments, manufacturers, contractors, and lenders to develop innovative solutions with a proven business model to unlock retrofit markets. MDTs help housing providers design retrofit strategies, connect them with suppliers of prefabricated components, and structure financing that can be repaid through future energy savings. MDTs create a standardized toolkit of procurement templates, technical standards, financing structures, and implementation processes that reduce risk and enable repeatable projects across markets. Over the next three years, EGA aims to expand into three new countries and catalyze the retrofitting of 200,000 homes, improving living conditions for over 450,000 tenants.

Impact

Catalyzed more than 16,000 housing retrofits across five countries (the Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, and the UK)

Reduced building energy use by 70 to 80%, improving building performance and lowering energy costs for tenants

EGA has received international recognition, including the 2024 UN-Habitat World Habitat Award, for their impact on housing quality and climate mitigation.