Buildings account for 36% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of its energy consumption. To accelerate carbon reduction efforts, the European Commission has proposed a new round of amendments to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). After the draft was submitted to the European Parliament, members of parliament expressed a more positive attitude, demanding that new buildings be zero-emission starting in 2028, and new public buildings even earlier, in 2026. The EU also intends to increase the rate of energy-efficient renovations of older buildings through policy support and subsidies.
On the 14th, the European Parliament voted to support the bill. Members of the European Parliament stated that its passage would significantly reduce natural gas demand in buildings. However, further consultations with the European Council are required to finalize the bill.
Council's positive attitude: Timeline for zero-carbon new buildings brought forward
The "Energy Efficiency in Buildings Directive" was first proposed in 2002, and has gradually introduced policies such as the EU building energy consumption calculation standard, building energy passport, rewards for energy-saving renovation of old houses, and standardized timetables for near-zero energy consumption of buildings.
The European Union has set a target of climate neutrality by 2050. In order to strengthen carbon reduction in buildings, the Commission proposed a new amendment at the end of 2021. The Parliament expressed support in mid-March with 343 votes in favor, 216 votes against, and 78 abstentions.
According to the European Parliament's draft bill, all new buildings must be zero-carbon by 2028, with new buildings used, operated, or owned by public agencies required to meet this requirement by 2026. Starting in 2028, new buildings will also be required to install solar photovoltaics where technically and economically feasible.
European building energy standards are divided into seven levels, A to G, with G representing the worst-performing 15% of buildings. The new bill will require all residential buildings to reach level E by 2030 and level D by 2033. These requirements are earlier than those in the original Commission proposal, demonstrating the European Parliament's positive stance.
Since the Russo-Ukrainian war, global natural gas prices have continued to rise. According to EURACTIV, Irish Green Party MP Ciaran Cuffe, who participated in the discussions on the building directive, noted that if passed, the bill would save nearly 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, equivalent to the consumption of 35 million households.
After the European Parliament votes to approve the draft, members must consult with the Council before finalizing its content. In addition, some members oppose the bill, arguing that existing energy-saving and carbon-reduction laws are sufficient and that new regulations will bring additional burdens.
Old buildings consume high amounts of energy; multi-pronged approach to increase renovation rates
The EU has been developing energy conservation in buildings for a long time, and new buildings are actively reducing carbon emissions. However, the renovation of old buildings involves issues such as funding, resident relocation, and rent increases, and the renovation rate has always been low.
Kraft noted that the parliament's version increases protection for tenants and allows EU countries and landlords to adopt flexible approaches to prevent landlords from passing renovation costs on to tenants in an unreasonable manner, demanding excessively high rents or even evicting tenants.
The draft also requires the state to assist people in renovating their homes, including through subsidies, loans, information channels, and cost-neutral renovation programs, and to provide special subsidies for major renovations of the worst energy-consuming buildings and for disadvantaged families.
It is expected that EU countries will exclude old buildings with historical value and special significance, temporary buildings, churches and other places from the new regulations.
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/236342)
