Inter-institutional negotiations (trilogue) continue in relation to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), submitted by the Commission December 2021 (see EUROPE 12854/13) and which aims to combat energy poverty, gradually reduce the use of fossil fuels and promote the renovation of buildings.
At the trilogue meeting held on Thursday 31 August, the discussion focused specifically on the areas covered by the directive’s requirements (Article 1), the deadlines for implementing minimum efficiency performance standards (Article 9a), the intelligent preparation indicator (Article 13), technical points in Articles 20 and 21 relating to the inspection of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and the scope and definitions (Article 2).
According to a source close to the negotiations, progress remains limited to these last elements, about which discussions have been more technical than political. After more than 5 hours of discussions, the European Parliament’s rapporteur, Ciarán Cuffe (Greens/EFA, Irish), expressed his disappointment on the X network, formerly Twitter: “Difficult negotiations. Have we made any progress? Yes, but we haven’t signed much. We have a few difficult sessions ahead of us before, hopefully, we can reach agreement.”
As a reminder, the report adopted by Parliament (see EUROPE 13141/10) tends to increase the ambitions of the initial directive and recommends a shortened deadline (article 9), set at 2028, for all new buildings to achieve zero emissions, with an obligation from 2026 for public buildings.
In addition, new buildings would have to be equipped with solar technologies by 2028, while residential buildings undergoing major renovation would have until 2032 to comply. Minimum energy performance standards would also be raised for residential buildings (E by 2030, D by 2033) and non-residential buildings (2027 and 2030). Certain exceptions would be made for historic buildings and special situations.
The political agreement (‘general approach’) reached by the Member States in October 2022 (see EUROPE 13050/3) calls for new buildings to be zero-emission from 2030 (from 2028 for public buildings in the EU).
Residential buildings will have to achieve Class D energy performance by 2033, with stricter standards by 2040 and 2050 based on national zero-emission targets. Non-residential buildings will have to comply with maximum energy performance thresholds, linked to primary energy consumption and modelled on the least efficient buildings in each Member State. Existing buildings will have to meet these thresholds, from 15% by 2030 to 25% by 2034.
At the heart of the negotiations, the issue of deadlines is likely to remain the focus of debate at the next trilogue, scheduled for 6 October. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)