“Knowing how Member States have been implementing the current directive, it is now up to stakeholders on the national level to make sure the potential in existing buildings is not overlooked” said Nils Borg, eceee’s Executive Director.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, first adopted in 2002, is being implemented by Member States.  However, shortcomings in that Directive led to proposals for a recast to widen the breadth and improve its effectiveness.

The approved proposal has made many improvements but has failed to take full advantage of this timely opportunity to bring the buildings sector in to the 21st century.  On the positive side, new buildings starting in 2020 will consume virtually no energy, relying on better design, passive energy and more renewables, with the public sector beginning even earlier.

Unfortunately, a golden opportunity has been lost because the main potential in the buildings sector is in existing buildings.  There are no binding targets set, leaving this to Member States to decide which measures to take to transform the existing building stock into low – and nearly zero-energy buildings.  Knowing how EU Member States have been implementing the current Directive, stakeholders are going to have to work vigorously at the national level to ensure that Member State plans are as ambitious as possible.

“There are some important improvements in the Directive for setting minimum energy performance requirements”, said Mr Borg. These include requirements for elements or components, and for technical systems, for setting those requirements at a “cost optimal” level, and for encouraging major renovations and for improving the use of energy performance certificates.  But, there is no financial support scheme included in the Directive for upgrading existing buildings.

In early 2009, the European Parliament set the pace for an ambitious recast.  While some of their proposals remain, many have been diluted. While most Member States agreed with the overall objectives, there were concerns that the approach created unnecessary administrative burdens and infringed on subsidiarity.

Nils Borg stated that “while we pushed for more, we have now to respect the decision that has been made and to focus on effective implementation at national and regional level.”  eceee will be actively monitoring implementation efforts and will not slow down its efforts to ensure Europe’s buildings set the standard for what is achievable.  There are many opportunities outside the Directive to take the sector forward.  The creation of the Buildings Performance Institute Europe, supported by eceee, is one such body that will have a strong impact in promoting a more energy efficient buildings sector.

eceee remains committed to ensuring that this sector will push forward.  The recast sets a long-term policy framework that is important for the planning for the buildings industry.  eceee will be working with all stakeholders to make this a success.

See also:
eceee’s buildings Directive pages
02 Nov 09 – eceee and industry: Existing buildings key to fighting climate change
02 Oct 09 – eceee appoints Director for new European buildings energy performance organisation
11 Sep 09 – The lowdown on low and zero energy buildings
07 Sep 09 – Understanding the economics of renovation: eceee report clarifies myths and distortions
24 Apr 09 – Building momentum - European Parliament adopts strengthened EPBD proposal

For more information contact:

Nils Borg
Executive Director
+46 705 853 174
eceee@eceee.org