Parliament strengthens energy efficiency
Annual savings of 25 billion euro - up to 450,000 new jobs - and less CO2 pollution; all these benefits are in the offing after the European Parliament voted in favour of revising the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
An important vote in the European Parliament is showing the way for energy efficiency. On 23 April 549 voted in favour of the revision of the EPBD (first reading), which requires all 25 EU Member States plus Norway and Switzerland to update their national building codes on a regular basis. Read more about the EPBD
What is in the new proposal?
- All new buildings must be net zero energy from 2019, meaning that they must produce as much energy as they consume.
- Member States must set intermediate national targets for how many new and existing buildings (residential, non-residential and public buildings) are to be net zero energy by 2015 and 2020.
- Member States must set minimum requirements for the energy performance of existing buildings that are subject to major renovation and for the building components (such as insulation for roofs, walls and floors) and technical building systems, whenever they are replaced or retrofitted.
- Financial instruments to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings must be introduced by Member States by mid 2011; for example low interest loans or fiscal rebates on income. Further, by 30 June 2010, the European Commission should propose additional EU financial instruments.
Annual savings of 25 billion euro
The economic impact assessment accompanying the original proposal from the Commission, which has now been further improved by the European Parliament, concludes that, when this new proposal is implemented fully and effectively, the European economy will see cost savings of 25 billion euro annually and up to 450,000 direct jobs in the construction sector will be created. There will also be a 5-6% reduction in Member States’ energy use by 2020 and, finally, 4-5% of the EU’s total CO2 emissions will be cut by 2020.
An extremely important step
According to Claus Bugge Garn, who is Vice President of Public Affairs at Rockwool International A/S, the adoption of this first reading of the proposal is an extremely important step for energy efficiency. He says:
“The European Parliament has taken what is an already ambitious proposal from the European Commission for revising the EPBD and has strengthened and refined it even further. This highly ambitious move by the Parliament has the full support of our industry. It will hopefully encourage EU Member States to support a strong common position during the European Council deliberations on the proposal, led this autumn by the Swedish Presidency.”
EU countries must work hard
Claus Bugge Garn also states that an ambitious EPBD revision could be one of the most important and timely Directives adopted in this area for many years. It will reflect the high priority that energy efficiency in buildings should be given.
“For this to happen, however, the Member States will need to work hard and diligently to reach agreement on the ambitious, yet necessary, measures adopted by the European Parliament in its proposal,” he concludes.
Read more
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
