Agreement on the Revision:
The European Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional political agreement on the revision of the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The updated directive sets more ambitious energy performance requirements for new and renovated buildings and calls on member states to accelerate the renovation of their building stock.
Impact of Buildings:
Over one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU are attributed to buildings. This agreement aims to improve building energy performance, reduce emissions, and address energy poverty. It represents a significant step toward the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
Key Objectives:
The main targets include ensuring that all new buildings are zero-emission by 2030 and transforming the existing building stock to zero-emission buildings by 2050.
Solar Energy and Buildings:
The two legislative bodies agreed on Article 9a, which ensures the integration of appropriate solar energy installations in new buildings, public buildings, and existing non-residential buildings undergoing renovations that require a permit.
Minimum Energy Performance Standards:
For non-residential buildings, it was agreed that by 2030, at least 16% of the worst-performing buildings must be upgraded, and by 2033, this figure must rise to 26%. For residential buildings, member states must ensure that the average energy consumption of their housing stock is reduced by 16% by 2030 and by 20–22% by 2035. At least 55% of these energy savings must come from renovations of the poorest-performing buildings.
Phasing Out Fossil Fuels in Buildings:
In relation to fossil fuel boilers, both institutions agreed that national building renovation plans must include a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuel boilers by 2040.
Next Steps:
The provisional agreement reached today with the European Parliament must now be formally approved and adopted by both institutions.
Background:
The European Commission submitted the EPBD revision proposal on December 15, 2021, as part of the “Fit for 55” package. Given that buildings account for 40% of the EU’s energy consumption and 36% of its energy-related GHG emissions (direct and indirect), the directive is a key component of the EU’s climate strategy. It also plays a vital role in implementing the Renovation Wave Strategy, published in October 2020, which aims to at least double the annual energy renovation rate of buildings and promote deep renovations by 2030.
