Thanks to the significant experience gained throughout 7 magical years of the Display® Campaign, Energy Cities with contributions from Displayers has launched a briefing note for the Concerted Action, national governments and organisations in charge of the transposition of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), interested MEPs and national parliamentarians.

This paper presents not only recommendations on what should contain a European voluntary energy certificate but also communication campaigns that drive the improvements in building energy performance.

Via this paper, Display Participants and Partners would like to express the following:

* Dynamic and participative local communication campaigns are required to allow citizens to understand the importance of efficient buildings and ultimately be linked to the overall objectives of the EPBD: improving the energy performance of buildings in Europe.

* Relevant lessons can be learnt from the experience of local authorities participating in the Display® Campaign. There is an opportunity to benefit from these and not to start from scratch.

* Local authorities are willing and able to continue to lead by example.

* National energy performance certificates need to be harmonised and the certificates need to become more eyecatching so that they can be used effectively for communication purposes.

* National governments and local authorities are encouraged to work together; networking at all public administration levels is supported. To carry this out, they need the support of the European Commission.

Download the briefing note: Towards a voluntary common European Union certification scheme for non-residential buildings.

See also the article written by Peter Schilken and Ian Turner (Energy Cities) published in the Parliament Magazine: Leading by example - April 2011.