EU countries back green building renovations, but quiet on binding standards

(EurActiv, 23 Feb 2021) European Union countries will rally behind the bloc’s plan to massively expand building renovations to cut emissions, according to a draft document, but it did not explicitly endorse using legally-binding energy performance standards to do it.

Brussels is encouraging EU countries to use building renovations to boost construction sector jobs and aid economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, while upgrading the energy-guzzling buildings that produce more than a third of the EU’s CO2 emissions.

The European Commission proposed plans in October to more than double the annual rate at which EU buildings are renovated to improve energy performance.

EU countries are negotiating their response to the proposals. A draft of their response, seen by Reuters, would see countries rally behind the call for a “massive increase in renovations towards nearly zero-energy levels”.

The EU’s €750 billion COVID-19 economic recovery fund offers a “crucial opportunity” to increase renovations, the draft said, adding renovation support for homeowners and businesses should be expanded through green bonds, loan and tax incentives.

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EurActiv, 23 Feb 2021: EU countries back green building renovations, but quiet on binding standards