Brussels – The European Council signed off on its position on the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) on 14 May, paving the way for its formal signature, and adoption into European law. The legislation will replace the 2010 EPBD, with more stringent requirements for buildings.
The building sector is the largest energy consumer in the EU. An estimated 75% of buildings are energy inefficient, and buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO3 emissions in the EU. As such, the sector represents a major challenge for meeting the EU’s energy and emissions targets.
The new EPBD sets targets and supports measures to improve the efficiency of Europe’s buildings, whilst also creating economic opportunities in the construction industry and alleviating energy poverty.
All Member States of the EU will now prepare national policy measures to achieve new objectives, including:
- A path towards a low and zero-emission building stock in the EU by 2050 by implementing national roadmaps to decarbonise buildings;
- Smarter buildings – encouraging more automation and control systems to make them operate more efficiently;
- A smart readiness indicator that will measure a building’s capacity to use new technologies and electronic systems to adapt to the needs of the consumer, optimise its operation and interact with the grid;
- E-mobility in buildings – supporting the rollout of e-mobility infrastructure such as e-charging points in buildings;
- More money and support to renovate – by mobilising public and private financing and investment for renovation activities, and strengthening long-term building renovation strategies;
- Combat energy poverty and reduce the household energy bills through renovation and improved energy performance of older buildings.
For more information, you can read the compromise text or see the Council’s Press Release.
Policy