22/02/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 21 February, the European Parliament's energy committee approved the political agreement concluded on 19 December 2017 with the EU Council on the revised directive on energy performance in buildings (see EUROPE 11929), thus paving the way for its adoption in plenary in April. The improvements to the text that were agreed in trialogue include measures to strengthen the energy performance of new buildings, accelerate the pace of renovation of existing buildings and exploit the enormous potential of gains in energy efficiency in the building sector – which accounts for 40% of the primary energy consumed in Europe. Once formally approved by Parliament, then by the Council, the new directive will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Member states will have 20 months to transpose the new elements of the directive into national law. (EH)