RSS FeedBuildings for the future: Recasting the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
18 Nov 08 – The eceee, the largest membership-based organisation in Europe dedicated to energy efficiency, welcomes the Strategic Energy Review published November 13th, 2008 by the European Commission. However, eceee firmly believes that greater energy efficiency improvements should be the first priority of this energy strategy. Furthermore, the eceee is convinced the recast of the Buildings Energy Performance Directive is the key element in this strategy.
The Strategic Energy Review together with the accompanying Security of Supply and Energy Efficiency Packages highlight the challenge facing Europe in achieving a more sustainable and secure energy policy.
The eceee believes that this new energy policy has the potential to fundamentally alter the EU's energy future. However, achieving such change will require new priorities and a renewed and increased commitment by all stakeholders.
The eceee welcomes the strategy's recognition that improved energy efficiency, with ambitious targets, will have a major impact. It is eceee's view, however, that greater energy efficiency improvements should be the first priority. Even before new energy supply sources are developed and new grids and inter-connecters planned, we are convinced that the reduction of consumption by improved energy efficiency and the increased use of renewable are the only long-term solutions to the security of supply problem.
Europe's future energy supply, transmission and distribution requirements can be fundamentally altered through energy efficiency. And improved energy efficiency will play an essential role in the EU by reducing greenhouse gas emissions as part of our international commitment on climate change and by significantly improving the EU's competitiveness and increasing employment opportunities.
The Strategic Energy Review presents a new "Energy Efficiency Package." Uppermost in this Package is the Commission proposal for a recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. While the Buildings Directive came into effect in 2006, implementation has not met expectations. There is widespread recognition, however, that some modifications to the Directive can have a major impact on improving implementation and achieving significantly more savings. Fully implemented, this revision alone can reduce EU energy consumption by 5-6 per cent by 2020, according to Commission analysis. The eceee welcomes this but believes even greater gains can be achieved if the proposed recast is further strengthened in Council and in the European Parliament.
The eceee cannot stress enough that the huge potential in existing buildings must be achieved. A key improvement in the recast is that now buildings smaller than 1000 square metres, when undergoing major renovation, will be included in the Directive. Those buildings represent a large share of the existing building stock and can achieve significant savings. There is a need, however, to clarify the minimum requirements for components and systems, and to ensure that Member States have mechanisms for enforcing these at time of refurbishment and of newbuild.
The eceee also strongly welcomes the Commission's clarification on the need for buildings frequently visited by the public to display an energy certificate to raise public awareness and interest. However, we believe, as stated, that this obligation for the public sector to lead the way should be strengthened: it should also include a requirement to implement cost-effective recommendations arising from the building certification process.
On the Commission's commitment towards low or zero energy housing, eceee is looking for more clarity in terms of the deadlines for when all new buildings shall conform with requirements for low or zero carbon dioxide emissions and primary energy consumption. There is also concern about the lack of clarity on when all existing buildings should be low- or zero-energy and carbon buildings.
The eceee firmly believes that Europeans are looking for an ambitious but realistic strategic vision for the energy performance of buildings to rally behind. This needs well-resourced information and awareness campaigns for the public in Member States to engage with. Similarly, the eceee would like to see Member States introduce additional mechanisms such as financial incentives to ensure that action is taken on the ground. Such measures need be strongly supported at EU level through the Structural Funds, the European Investment Bank and other Community financing sources.
A thorough monitoring and verification of the associated energy and carbon savings is essential in order to ensure effective implementation. In this regard, the inclusion in the Commission proposal of an obligation for Member States to put in place a system of penalties for infringement is a much welcomed first step.
The eceee will be providing detailed comments throughout the approval process for this Directive. The eceee fully supports the Commission in all efforts to maintain and strengthen the proposal during the co-decision process, while ensuring the full and thorough implementation of the existing Directive. The eceee will do everything possible to help to ensure that the proposed recast Directive is improved, approved and implemented as speedily as possible.
Link to eceee pages on The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Read related news "Revised building energy directive proposed"
eceee policy brief for buildings (pdf)