Join the Online Masterclass ‘Balancing Heritage Conservation and Climate Action’ on 7 December 2026
Europa Nostra and the Office of Public Works Ireland (OPW) are hosting the online Masterclass ‘Balancing Heritage Conservation and Climate Action on Monday 7 December 2026 (13:00-14:30 CET / 12:00-13:30 WET).
This masterclass explores the methodology, practical experience and key outcomes of the initiative Improving the Energy Performance of Heritage Properties in State Care, which has been developed by OPW to support the country’s climate action commitments and the EU’s decarbonisation targets. At the time, no clear framework existed for improving the energy performance of historic buildings while safeguarding their heritage value. The initiative offers valuable insights and lessons learned that can be adapted and applied in other contexts and settings. The initiative received both a European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award and the Grand Prix 2026 in the Education, Training and Skills categories.
This online masterclass is organised in the framework of the network project Europa Nostra Heritage Agora, which is supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
The masterclass is free-of-charge but registration is compulsory. Due to limited capacity, we kindly ask you to register as soon as possible to secure your participation. You are welcome to extend this invitation to your colleagues. All registered participants will receive a zoom link on the eve of the event.
Masterclass Programme
OPW Responsibilities and Climate Action Commitments
The masterclass opens with the OPW’s role in managing Ireland’s state property portfolio and driving large-scale decarbonisation to meet national and EU 2030 and 2050 climate targets while acting as stewards for historic buildings.
Technical Guidance
Attendees will be introduced to the OPW’s 5-stage procedural framework. This process requires the establishment of a multidisciplinary, conservation-led design team from the project outset and front-loads the building performance analysis with a series of non-destructive, on-site testing, such as thermography, airtightness testing, and heat-loss measurements, to ensure that energy efficiency targets and upgrade measures are physically and aesthetically compatible with the historic building fabric.
Energy Renovation Case Studies
The core of the masterclass examines the practical application of this methodology across diverse historic building typologies. Despite differences in construction, context, heritage significance and use, each case study demonstrates significant energy efficiency improvements can be achieved without sacrificing cultural heritage. Key insights include how routine defect rectification reduces energy use, how in-situ test results can be used to identify a holistic renovation approach and focus resources on measures that will yield results, and how the ‘live laboratory’ at Dublin Castle is using embedded sensors to track the long-term performance of two types of vapour-permeable internal wall insulation systems in real time.
Further training and resources
Finally, the masterclass outlines further upskilling opportunities and resources, detailing how the comprehensive three-day professional curriculum has been adapted into a free, open-access course hosted on the European Commission’s EU Academy platform.
Q&A session
Find out more
