Bridging Policy and Practice: Ana Corrêa do Lago Discusses Household Energy Retrofits in Madrid at GSAPP

November 15, 2024

As part of GSAPP's Preservation Lecture Series, Columbia’s Center for Sustainable Urban Development, GSAPP’s Real Estate Development program, and GSAPP’s Historic Preservation program partnered to host a lecture by Ana Corrêa do Lago, a researcher and economist whose work focuses on the challenges and opportunities of household energy retrofits in Madrid. Her talk, "Mapping the Implementation Gap in Household Energy Retrofits in Madrid: Bridging Decarbonization Policies with Everyday Household Needs," explored the complexities of aligning ambitious climate goals with the lived realities of homeowners, offering insights into how subsidies and localized efforts can drive progress toward decarbonization. Read more about Ana's lecture below.

Logos: Columbia Climate School Center for Sustainable Urban Development, Columbia GSAPPMapping The Implementation Gap In Household Energy Retrofits In Madrid: Bridging Decarbonization Policies With Everyday Household Needs? by Ana Corrêa do LagoImages: Ana Corrêa do Lago speaking and giving a presentation


The building sector is a crucial focus for reducing emissions in Europe, and responds to 40% of energy consumption and 36% of GHG emissions. Europe is committed to achieving a climate-neutral economy by 2050, and Spain is actively aligning its policies with this commitment. With the majority of its building stock being residential and owner-occupied, Spain established the goal to increase household energy retrofits tenfold by 2030, in line with EU directives.

However, despite policy support at European, national and municipal levels, implementation lags behind targets. The study focuses on a case study in the city of Madrid to outline the distribution of subsidies, and further explore how the distribution relates to income levels and energy efficiency certifications. This research maps the distribution of subsidies across districts and neighborhoods in Madrid, analyzing variations in implementation and gathering qualitative data to uncover the reasons behind the resulting demand-driven, rather than targeted, distribution. 

One of the main challenges is bridging the gap between individual household retrofit decisions and the broader, large-scale decarbonization targets, which can feel disconnected from homeowners’ everyday concerns. While progress at the municipal level has been slow, examining district-level data offers insights into areas like the Orcasitas neighborhood, where 70% of multifamily buildings have been retrofitted.