The European Parliament’s plenary session opened on Monday 13 March with a debate on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2021/0426). The position of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), adopted in early February (see EUROPE 13119/16), will be put to the vote by MEPs on Tuesday.
“A strong majority of all Groups supported this agreement because it is fair, realistic and offers flexibility to Member States, tenants, homeowners and gives priority to people in energy poverty”, said Ciarán Cuffe (Greens/EFA, Irish), rapporteur on this dossier.
In particular, the text establishes minimum efficiency performance standards by 2030 and 2033 that are more ambitious than those initially proposed by the European Commission (see EUROPE 13111/1), as well as zero emissions for public buildings from 2026 and for all new buildings from 2028.
During the debate, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson welcomed Parliament’s proposal, which will “reduce our dependence on fossil fuels from Russia, and promote our energy sovereignty”.
Faced with the reluctance and objections of the shadow rapporteurs from the ECR and Identity and Democracy Groups, who denounced the “binding” and “unrealistic” framework of the legislative text, the negotiators from the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe and The Left Groups pointed out the importance and urgency of the Directive in meeting the EU’s 2050 carbon neutrality target.
Some, like Sean Kelly (EPP, Irish), highlighted what they see as the added value of the Directive: “18,000 long-term jobs will be created for energy efficiency in buildings”.
One part of the proposal also aims to facilitate access to grants and funds for the weakest households, as Tsvetelina Penkova (S&D, Bulgarian) pointed out: “The Directive does not impose any penalties on European households, and the most vulnerable households are helped with their renovation”.
While many highlighted these social provisions, other MEPs urged caution, fearing that property prices would rise considerably in the future as a result.
No less than 67 amendments were tabled to the draft ‘Cuffe’ report. To consult them: https://aeur.eu/f/5rb (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)