Balancing the Interests of Various Community Groups in Local Government Policy on the Energy Performance of Buildings

Girts Karnitis, Maris Pukis, Janis Bicevskis, Edgars Diebelis, Stanislavs Gendelis, Edvins Karnitis () and Ugis Sarma
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Girts Karnitis: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Latvia, 1586 Riga, Latvia
Maris Pukis: Scientific Institute of Economics and Management, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Latvia, 1586 Riga, Latvia
Janis Bicevskis: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Latvia, 1586 Riga, Latvia
Edgars Diebelis: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Latvia, 1586 Riga, Latvia
Stanislavs Gendelis: Institute of Numerical Modelling, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Latvia, 1586 Riga, Latvia
Edvins Karnitis: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Latvia, 1586 Riga, Latvia
Ugis Sarma: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Latvia, 1586 Riga, Latvia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: EU legislation provides the implementation of most building energy performance measures at a subnational level. This obligation is causing a lot of completely new dilemmas that are challenging for local governments (LGs), requiring a radical re-evaluation of the prioritization of LGs’ traditional tasks and the ranking of new responsibilities. The attitude of local population and businesses towards the solutions to dilemmas, which are set by LGs decisions, vary widely. Separate groups actively lobby for their mutually contradictory interests, questioning decisions and fighting against them during the decision-drafting and -making process, significantly hindering the work of LGs and prolonging decision-making. The authors’ suggested solution to the problem is to make municipal decisions based on verifiable data and facts, thus preventing the manifestations of populism and demagogy, and reducing the possibilities for interest group advocacy. To obtain objective information for balanced decision-making about the benefits and costs of heating system retrofitting projects without carrying out the labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly design of various options, an express methodology and an easy-to-use tool for project feasibility studies have been developed. The methodology utilizes a limited number of open indicators to streamline the evaluation process, and does not require specific knowledge in thermal physics, economics, or construction.

Keywords: Green Deal policy; the energy performance of buildings; local governments; interest groups; heating simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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