The European Council has reached agreement on a legislative proposal to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The findings aim for all new buildings to be zero-emission buildings by 2030, and existing buildings to be converted to zero-emission buildings by 2050, the Council said.
“The building sector is crucial to achieving the EU’s energy and climate goals for 2030 and 2050. Moreover, the agreement reached today will help citizens make significant energy savings. Better and more energy-efficient buildings will improve citizens’ quality of life, while lowering energy bills and alleviating energy poverty,” Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela said in an announcement.
Regarding new buildings, the Council agreed that:
– from 2028, new buildings owned by public authorities would be zero-carbon buildings
– from 2030, all new buildings would be zero-carbon buildings
Exceptions will be possible for certain buildings, including historic buildings, places of worship and buildings used for defense purposes.
For existing buildings, member states have agreed to introduce minimum energy performance standards that would correspond to the maximum amount of primary energy that buildings can consume per square meter per year. The goal is to initiate renovation and lead to the phasing out of the worst buildings and the continuous improvement of the national building stock.
For existing non-residential buildings, it was agreed to set maximum energy performance thresholds based on primary energy consumption.
Member states agreed to set requirements to ensure that all new buildings are designed to optimize their solar energy generation potential. Member states have agreed to deploy appropriate solar energy installations:
– by December 31, 2026, on all new public and non-residential buildings with a floor area of more than 250 sqm
– by December 31, 2027, on all existing public and non-residential buildings undergoing capital or major renovation with a floor area of more than 400 sqm; and
– by December 31, 2029 on all new residential buildings.
Member states have agreed on requirements for the provision of sustainable mobility infrastructure, such as charging points for electric cars and bicycles in or next to buildings, wiring to anticipate future infrastructure, and parking spaces for bicycles. They also introduced voluntary building renovation passports.
They also agreed to issue national building renovation plans, which would include a roadmap with national targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050 for the annual energy renovation rate, primary and final energy consumption of the national building stock, and operational reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The first plans would be issued by June 30, 2026, and every five years thereafter.
The Council will now begin to agree with the European Parliament on the issue. Once agreement is reached, the final directive text will be formally adopted by the Council and Parliament.
Source: ISBnews
