We call upon the co-legislator to seize a historic opportunity and prioritize the adoption of an ambitious Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) before the conclusion of the Spanish Presidency at the end of 2023.

Our appeal for urgent action is grounded in the recognition that a timely agreement on the EPBD is essential to bring an array of benefits for EU citizens and businesses. Our concern is that the debate is becoming excessively polarized based largely on inaccurate information and assumptions, which threatens to delay the delivery of much needed improvements to people`s homes and workplaces while diminishing efforts to lower bills and boost energy security and competitiveness.

The European Green Deal rightfully identifies the upgrade of the EU’s building stock as a key objective in the fight against climate change and the pursuit of our 2050 decarbonization goals. Since the war in Ukraine and the ensuing energy security challenges, we have been pursuing urgent strategies to attain energy independence. Highly efficient and smart buildings are the bedrock of energy security. By enhancing their energy efficiency through renovation and use of management systems, we can significantly reduce the energy required for heating, cooling and lighting, we can optimize consumption and contribute to grid optimization. The integration of digital solutions further unlocks the potential for renewable energy integration and flexibility, reducing even more our reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Read the full opinion-editorial on Euractiv.

More information on Energy Efficiency Day here & register here.

“This Commission started on the good foot with the launch of the Renovation Wave and the New European Bauhaus. It must now think about its legacy and avoid simply giving up on the EPBD” the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) President Monica Frassoni told Frédéric Simon of Euractiv.

The European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen started its mandate on the good foot when it comes to energy efficiency policies. It must now think about its legacy and hold firm on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which is coming under attack from Eurosceptics in Italy and elsewhere, says Monica Frassoni.

She spoke to EURACTIV ahead of the second edition of the European Energy Efficiency Day, taking place on 12 October in Brussels and online.

Interview highlights:

• The revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and measures adopted during the gas crisis to lower energy prices are “a clear improvement from the past”.
• Yet, it is “not enough” because the emphasis in Europe remains on supply-side policies instead of how to reduce energy needs.
• Legal loopholes were also added to the EED, allowing continued subsidies for fossil fuel boilers as well as new investments in gas infrastructure.
• Now that the EU Commission is approaching the end of its mandate, it must make a final push on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which is coming under attack from countries like Italy and Germany.
• “At this point, critics of the EPBD just need to read the proposal,” which has been amended to alleviate concerns about the costs of renovation for homeowners.

Read the full interview in Euractiv.

More information on Energy Efficiency Day here & register here.

“Achieving a much deeper and increased building renovation rate is crucial to achieving the EU’s decarbonisation objective” says Mike Stenson of Kingspan in Foresight Climate & Energy, ahead of the second edition of European Energy Efficiency Day.

The way we build is evolving dramatically, with new materials, systems and technologies making it possible to create architecture that is more energy efficient, resilient and sensitive to the needs of its inhabitants than ever before.

To meet the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change pathway to limit the global rise in temperature to 1.5°C, it is essential for all sectors to decarbonise rapidly over the next ten years.

Buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions: 28% from operational emissions, from energy needed to heat, cool and power them, and the remaining 11% from materials and construction.

Read the full article in Foresight Climate & Energy.

More information on Energy Efficiency Day here & Register here.

“As we approach the autumn season, Europe stands on the brink of a decisive momentvwith the negotiations on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive gaining speed. Amidst this backdrop, Europe’s commitment to putting energy efficiency first is paramount,” says Luigi Petito of the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) in Foresight Climate & Energy, ahead of the second edition of European Energy Efficiency Day.

The gains made by efficiency investment outweight the upfront cost​​.

In 2019, the European Union​​ set its sights on achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This​ was put into action through ​the European Climate Law. This not only enshrined the objective within the EU’s legal framework but also charted a course for an interim target—a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by no less than 55%​ by 2030​ compared to the 1990 baseline, on the trajectory toward 2050.

​​The seismic geopolitical events of 2022, marked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have acted as a catalyst for Europe’s energy agenda. More than five hundred days since the beginning of the war, a consensus has emerged—an imperative to accelerate Europe’s transition towards decarboni​s​​ation, thereby diminishing ​Europe’s​​ reliance on fossil fuels. ​​​ 

Within this context, a response to the energy crisis materiali​s​​ed through the REPowerEU ​package​, outlining the strategic goal of liberating the EU from its dependence on Russian fossil fuels well before 2030.

Read the full article in Foresight Climate & Energy.

More information on Energy Efficiency Day here & Register here.