Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: sustainable buildings, sustainable future

The Renew Europe Group welcomes the ITRE Committee´s backing of the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) today, a key driver within the framework of the Fit for 55 package to achieve a zero-emission building stock by 2050. Current EU building stock accounts for 40% of energy consumed and 36% of energy-related direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

Building on the Commission’s proposal, we ask for more ambitious minimum energy performance standards, tighter timetables, but also flexibility offered to residential buildings. The compromise reached mirrors that eliminating energy waste from our buildings presents the most straightforward opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to decrease demand for energy imports, and to lower the costs for households and businesses.

Among the most important measures of the final compromise, fossil fuel-based heating systems and financial incentives for installation will be restricted and eventually phased-out. Furthermore, sustainable mobility infrastructure standards are reinforced by introducing a proportionate number of charging points, as well as pre-cabling for parking space and bicycle spaces taking into account the total user capacity.

During the negotiation process, Renew Europe also stressed the importance of tackling administrative obstacles for the rapid decarbonisation of the EU building stock by means of renovation, application of latest technologies and digital solutions, as well as district heating/cooling from renewable sources and further strengthening and promotion of energy communities.

Renew Europe MEP Morten Helveg Petersen (Det Radikale Venstre, Denmark), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, and shadow rapporteur on the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), stated:

"The poor energy performance in European buildings is sponsoring Putin's war machine, increasing energy costs for citizens, and constituting a climate disaster in itself. It is critically important that we now bring our buildings to the centre stage and begin a renovation wave towards a green building stock in Europe. Our citizens have the desire, our businesses have the solutions, and today the ITRE committee delivered a strong political framework that works to preserve, not waste, the good energy in European homes."