The Role of Public Authorities in Ensuring Quality and Fairness in the Deployment of High-Energy Performance Buildings

Public authorities play a crucial role in driving the adoption of high-energy performance buildings, such as Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) and Zero Emission Buildings (ZEBs), through policy, regulation, and public investment. In doing so, they have a responsibility to lead by example, ensuring that every project adheres to best practices in design, procurement, and implementation. At the same time, public authorities must safeguard the principles of fair competition, ensuring that market dynamics remain open and just for all stakeholders involved.

Here are some key considerations for public authorities in their role as leaders and regulators:

1. Ensuring Quality through Expertise in Procurement

Public authorities are often the largest investors in infrastructure and building projects. It is essential that these projects are executed to the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and sustainability. A key way to achieve this is by involving qualified consultants and professionals at every stage of the procurement process.

Hiring Qualified Experts: The selection of qualified consultants, designers, and auditors ensures that projects meet rigorous energy performance criteria. Public authorities should prioritize hiring experts with proven experience in high-performance building design and implementation, as well as those holding relevant certifications and qualifications. These professionals can guide projects toward meeting ambitious energy efficiency goals while ensuring long-term durability and performance.
Transparent Procurement Processes: To maintain trust and integrity in public projects, procurement processes must be transparent and free from bias. This includes issuing open tenders, clear evaluation criteria, and ensuring that all potential suppliers and contractors have an equal opportunity to compete. Public authorities must avoid favoritism and corruption, which can undermine both the quality of the project and the public’s trust in government.

2. Fostering a Fair and Just Market

Public authorities are responsible for ensuring a fair and competitive market in which all businesses, from large corporations to small enterprises, can compete on a level playing field. Public procurement should not only focus on obtaining the lowest price but also on achieving long-term value, sustainability, and innovation.

Promoting Fair Competition: Authorities should design procurement frameworks that encourage fair competition, allowing smaller and local companies to compete alongside larger firms. This can be achieved by creating procurement packages that are accessible to companies of varying sizes, thus preventing monopolies or market distortions. Fair competition drives innovation and ensures that public investments contribute to a more dynamic and sustainable construction sector.
Avoiding Market Distortion: Public investments should be carefully planned to avoid distorting the free market or creating unintended consequences. For example, subsidies or financial support should not favor specific companies or technologies disproportionately, as this can stifle competition and innovation. Instead, support mechanisms should be designed to encourage a wide range of solutions, fostering diversity in the market.
Ensuring Long-Term Value: While cost considerations are important, public authorities must prioritize long-term value over short-term savings. Selecting materials, technologies, and contractors based on quality, durability, and sustainability, rather than solely on price, can lead to more efficient and higher-performing buildings. In the context of NZEB and ZEB projects, this means choosing solutions that minimize operational costs, reduce energy consumption, and ensure occupant comfort over the building’s lifetime.

3. Leading by Example

Public authorities have the opportunity and responsibility to lead by example in the deployment of high-energy performance buildings. Every public project can be a demonstration of best practices in energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

Implementing Best Practices: By adopting and adhering to internationally recognized standards, such as Passive House, LEED, BREEAM, and WELL, public authorities can ensure that their building projects are not only energy-efficient but also healthy, resilient, and comfortable for occupants. Adopting these standards sets a benchmark for the private sector and sends a strong signal that sustainability and performance are key priorities in public projects.
Sustainability in Public Investments: Public investments in building projects should be aligned with broader sustainability goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing resource use, and promoting circular economy principles. Authorities should invest in high-performance, energy-efficient buildings that serve as models for the private sector and the wider community. By prioritizing energy-efficient designs and technologies, authorities can accelerate the transition to low-carbon, sustainable construction practices.
Transparency and Accountability: Public authorities should ensure that the processes behind the planning, design, and execution of public projects are transparent and accountable. This means publishing clear criteria for project selection, reporting on project performance, and engaging with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Transparency builds public trust and ensures that projects are implemented with integrity and fairness.

4. Careful Planning of Public Investments

When planning public investments, authorities must carefully consider their impact on the market, society, and the environment. This includes ensuring that public funds are directed toward projects that promote sustainability, innovation, and social equity.

Sustainable Financing: Public investments should prioritize projects that deliver long-term social, environmental, and economic benefits. This includes directing funds toward energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy infrastructure, and sustainable transportation systems. Investments in high-energy performance buildings, in particular, reduce public expenditure on energy consumption over time, contribute to national climate targets, and improve public health and wellbeing.
Strategic Investment in Innovation: Public authorities can also play a pivotal role in fostering innovation by investing in research and development for sustainable building technologies. By supporting pilot projects, demonstration buildings, and public-private partnerships, authorities can encourage the development of new technologies that drive the construction sector toward greater sustainability and energy performance.

5. The Role of Public Authorities in Energy Communities

Public authorities can take an active role in fostering the development of energy communities, where citizens, businesses, and local authorities collaborate to produce and share renewable energy at the local level.

Promoting Energy Communities: Energy communities, where renewable energy is produced and shared at the neighborhood level, are an effective way to reduce reliance on centralized energy sources and promote local sustainability. Public authorities can facilitate the creation of these communities by providing regulatory frameworks, financial support, and technical expertise. Energy communities empower citizens, lower energy costs, and contribute to national energy goals.
Supporting Local Participation: Authorities should engage with communities, civil society, and local businesses to promote inclusive participation in energy community initiatives. This ensures that the benefits of renewable energy production and energy-efficient buildings are shared equitably across society, including low-income households and underserved communities.

Conclusion: Public Authorities as Catalysts for Sustainable Development

Public authorities have a pivotal role in ensuring the success of high-energy performance building projects. Through careful planning, transparent procurement, and fair competition, they can drive market transformation toward sustainable, energy-efficient practices. By leading by example and implementing best practices in every public project, authorities can inspire the private sector, foster innovation, and help build a resilient, low-carbon future. Their actions not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also ensure that public investments deliver long-term value for society.