The European Parliament has today given its final approval on the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Today’s vote marks the finalization of the first of 8 legislative proposals, part of the “Clean Energy for All Europeans” package presented by the European Commission on 30 November 2016. This package is a key element of one of the Juncker Commission’s priorities, Union and a future climate change policy”.
The changes agreed today tap into the huge potential for efficiency gains in the construction sector, Europe’s biggest single consumer of energy. They include measures to speed up the pace of building renovation towards more energy efficient systems and will enhance the energy efficiency of new buildings.
Mr Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President responsible for the Energy Union, said: “With the renewal and utilization of our buildings in Europe we achieve simultaneous goals: lower energy bills, better health, environmental protection and reduction of emissions in the EU, since over a third of these are produced by buildings. And as technology has blurred the distinction between sectors, we are also creating a connection between buildings and e-mobility infrastructure and helping to stabilize the electricity grid. Let’s continue! “
Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete added: “This is the first final agreement on a Clean Energy Package proposal for to all Europeans, a message that we are on the right track and will fulfill our initial commitment. Our ambitious commitment to clean energy in Europe and the Paris Agreement will become a reality with directives like the one voted today: the revised Buildings Directive will help create local jobs, save money for consumers and improve quality life of Europeans. It will also help fight energy poverty by reducing the energy bills of older buildings that will be renovated, and I now call on the European Parliament and the Council to show leadership and complete the rest of the proposals in the Clean Energy for All Europeans package.
reducing carbon dioxide emissions in buildings.
Encourages the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and smart technologies to ensure the efficient operation of buildings, for example by introducing automation and control systems.
Supports the development of infrastructure for e-mobility in all buildings (although to a lesser extent than in the Commission proposal).
Introduces a “smart readiness indicator” which will it measures the ability of buildings to use new technologies and electronic systems to adapt to consumer needs, optimize their operation and interact with the network.
It integrates and substantially enhances long-term building renovation strategies.
It supports public and private funding and investment.
It helps fight energy poverty and reduce the bill for energy consumption by renovating older buildings
Next steps
Following the European Parliament’s approval of the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the Council of Ministers will now have to finalize its formal agreement at an upcoming Council meeting in the coming weeks . This approval will be followed shortly by the publication of the text in the Official Journal of the Union, which will enter into force 20 days after its publication. Member States will then have to transpose the new elements of the directive into national law within 20 months.
Background – Shocking facts about the potential of the retrofitting building sector! !!
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is an integral part of implementing the Juncker Commission’s priorities to build a “resilient Energy Union with a future climate change policy ». The Commission wants the EU to lead the clean energy transition. For this reason, the EU is committed to reducing CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030, while at the same time modernizing the EU economy and delivering jobs and growth for all European citizens. In doing so, the Commission is guided by three main objectives: energy efficiency first, achieving global leadership in renewable energy and giving consumers a fair deal.
The building sector in the EU it is the largest single energy consumer in Europe, absorbing 40% of final energy and approximately 75% of buildings are energy inefficient. Similarly, depending on the Member State, only 0.4-1.2% of the stock is renewed each year. This opens up a huge potential for energy efficiency gains in Europe as well as economic opportunities: the construction industry generates around 9% of European GDP and accounts for 18 million direct jobs. Construction activities including renovation works and energy retrofits add almost twice as much value as new building construction and SMEs contribute more than 70% of the added value in the EU construction sector !!!
The renovation of the buildings requires a significant investment. The EPBD is an essential element of the European Commission’s work to increase the efficiency of buildings and renew work. This work is accompanied by tools such as, for example, the revised Eurostat guidelines on energy performance contracts that will help the construction industry to increase the necessary investments, see IP / 17/3268. It works with the Smart Finance for Smart Buildings initiative. In addition, with the enlarged European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI 2.0), the Commission is putting more focus on sustainable investment in all sectors, contributing to the EU’s energy and climate goals and helping to achieve the transition to an efficient, low carbon economy. At least 40% of EFSI projects under the infrastructure and innovation field should contribute to the Commission’s climate action and energy transition commitments in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
