Ahead of the upcoming interinstitutional negotiations on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, EUROPE has obtained a ‘four-column document’ outlining the positions of the various parties. It will serve as a basis for further discussions.
As part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, the Commission adopted on 15 December 2021 a legislative proposal to revise the EPBD. The latter would define the tools to achieve a zero-emission building stock by 2050.
The EU Council adopted its position at a meeting of Energy Ministers on 25 October 2022 (see EUROPE 13050/3).
According to this general approach, from 2030 onwards, all new buildings should be ‘zero emission’ buildings. This perspective is brought forward to 2028 for all new buildings owned by public bodies. However, exceptions will be possible for some: historic buildings, places of worship and buildings used for defence purposes.
Residential buildings should meet a class D energy performance certificate (EPC) by 2033 and higher standards by 2040 and 2050.
In the European Parliament, the final report by Ciarán Cuffe (Greens/EFA, Irish) was adopted in plenary on 14 March (see EUROPE 13141/10). This would set an earlier deadline for all new buildings to be zero-emission in 2028, and apply this obligation from 2026 to all new public buildings.
According to the RepowerEU plan, all new buildings should be equipped with solar technologies by 2028, where possible, while residential buildings undergoing major renovations would have until 2032 to comply with this requirement.
According to a source close to the dossier, the negotiations should focus on issues related to financial support, namely: a financing system set up to encourage owners to renovate.
And for good reason, the Commission’s reform was conceived in a less tense context than it currently is, concerning real estate rates. However, if this is a first brake, the rise in energy prices over the past year should validate the need to achieve these targets. In addition, the debate could also focus on the greater flexibility given to Member States by the EU Council, particularly in relation to existing residential property.
The interinstitutional negotiations are not expected before the start of the Spanish Presidency.
See the document: https://aeur.eu/f/6q4 (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)