Emissions reduction targets
From 2028 all new buildings must have zero greenhouse gas emissions. The corresponding deadline for buildings housing, used, or owned by public authorities is set for 2026. All new buildings should be equipped with solar energy collection technologies by 2028, if technically and economically feasible, while residential buildings undergoing large-scale renovation will have until 2032.
On the energy efficiency scale from A to G, residential buildings should achieve at least category E by 2030 and D by 2033. Category G corresponds to the worst performing 15% of buildings in a Member State. (Note: Today, the vast majority of old buildings in our country are classified in the two lower grades F and G!). Non-residential and public buildings should belong to the relevant categories by 2027 and 2030 respectively. The energy efficiency upgrade (which can take the form of insulation work or heating system improvements) will take place when a building is sold or undergoes major renovation or, if rented, when a new lease is signed.
The measures needed to achieve these goals will be defined by the Member States in the so-called national renovation plans.
Support measures to combat energy poverty
National renovation plans will they must include support mechanisms that will facilitate access to grants and funding. Member States should also set up free information points and establish cost-neutral refurbishment programmes. They should also offer funding that rewards radical renovations, especially for the worst performing buildings, while specialized grants and subsidies should be provided to vulnerable households.
Who are excluded from the new rules
Monumental buildings will be excluded from the new rules. On a case-by-case basis, EU countries can also decide to exclude buildings protected for their special architectural or historical value, technical buildings, buildings in temporary use, as well as churches and places of worship. Member States can also exempt public social housing, where renovations would lead to rent increases that cannot be offset by savings on energy bills.
The MEPs also call for Member States to be allowed to adapt the new targets to a limited percentage of buildings depending on the economic and technical feasibility of renovations and the availability of skilled labour.
Statements
Rapporteur for the Energy Performance of Buildings DirectiveCiarán Cuffe(Greens, Ireland) said: “Spiking energy prices are drawing our attention to energy efficiency and energy conservation. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings in Europe will reduce our bills and our dependence on imports. We want the directive to reduce energy poverty and emissions, while ensuring better quality indoor spaces for everyone’s health. This development strategy for Europe will create hundreds of thousands of good quality jobs at local level in the construction, renovation and renewable energy sectors, improving the prosperity of millions of Europeans”.
Next steps
Parliament adopted its position with 343 votes in favor, 216 votes against and 78 abstentions. MEPs will now begin negotiations with the Council to agree the final form of the legislation.
Related information
According to the European Commission, buildings in the EU are responsible for 40% of our energy consumption and 36% of our greenhouse gas emissions. On 15 December 2021 the European Commission tabled a proposal for the revision of the Directive on the energy performance of buildings as part of the “Fit for 55” package. The new European climate legislation adopted in 2021 enshrined in European law both the 2030 and 2050 targets.
The UIPI ANNOUNCEMENT
EPBD: The vote in the Plenary of the European Parliament approves ambitious building directive
Brussels, 14 March 2023 – The Plenary of The European Parliament adopted its position on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) on Tuesday (14 March), raising the Commission’s ambition ahead of negotiations with EU member states.
The text was adopted with 343 votes in favour, 216 against and 78 abstentions. According to Parliament’s text, all new buildings should be climate neutral by 2028 at the latest, while existing buildings should comply with minimum energy performance standards set at EU or national level to achieve the climate neutrality by 2050. Parliament calls for all existing buildings to achieve at least performance class E by 2030 and D by 2033 – non-residential and public buildings must reach these standards by 2027 and 2030 respectively. Member States should set higher standards for these buildings after that date and for the remaining stock.
The text adopted by the ITRE Commission in February recognizes some notable exceptions due to the Plenary vote. This includes a wider exemption for unlisted heritage buildings as a result of a Plenary amendment tabled by French conservative MEP François-Xavier Bellamy. Another amendment, tabled by German Liberal MEP Andreas Glück, appears to give member states more flexibility in developing EV infrastructure.
Emmanuelle Causse, General Secretary of the International Union of Property Owners (UIPI) commented:
“The past year has shown that this is an extremely sensitive issue, both technically and politically. Our national and local homeowners associations are receiving more and more calls from concerned citizens about the issue. Following the vote in the ITRE Commission at the beginning of February, media attention is also increasing across Europe. The recast EPBD is indeed a paradigm shift from setting ambitious targets to concrete impact on citizens, the EU’s building stock and national housing policies.
No one disputes the need to refurbish our building stock and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is of the utmost importance that public support for the green transition is not lost. We need to massively offer the tools to facilitate the renovation and give some flexibility in the implementation of the goals. The latter will be the task of the European legislators in the upcoming interinstitutional negotiations”.
