EP backs pioneering legislation to achieve zero-emission buildings in Europe

The EU climate and energy transition will not thrive without sustainable buildings. That´s why Renew Europe welcomes today’s plenary endorsement of the trilogue deal on the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), a key driver within the framework of the Fit for 55 package to bring EU building stock to climate neutrality by 2050. Given the current geopolitical upheavals and the recent energy crisis, preventing energy waste from our buildings represents the most straightforward opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce European dependence on Russian gas imports and lower the costs for households and businesses.

Our political group played a pivotal role, delivering a balance between sustainability and competitiveness, placing a new "renovation era" as the core strategy towards more sustainable buildings that will bring down energy bills and bolster the EU’s circular economy.

Renew Europe MEP Morten Helveg Petersen (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:

"Following lengthy and challenging negotiations, we have now delivered the right tools to the Member States to fully implement this important Directive with the goal to fully decarbonise our buildings by 2050. At the same time, EU gas imports from Russia remains a huge economic contribution to Putin’s war chest, we have yet to eliminate. It’s time to walk the talk and stop that sponsorship”.

The adopted legislation sets clear targets and timelines for buildings renovation, as well as a review clause, with the Commission assessing whether further binding measures at EU level are needed in order to achieve the values for 2030 and 2035. Furthermore, the agreement facilitates the deployment of solar energy installations, tackling administrative burdens and the implementation of building automation systems.

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