Efficiency in buildings, Europarliament gives the green light to the new directive

From 2028 all new buildings will be zero-emission, public buildings from 2026. Exemptions and support measures planned

On Tuesday, the European Parliament approved - with 343 votes in favor, 216 against and 78 abstentions - the negotiating mandate on the proposed directive on energy performance in buildings.
The goal of the proposed directive is a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption of buildings by 2030, and thus the achievement of climate neutrality in 2050.
According to the Europarliament's position, which will now be discussed with the Council and the EU Commission, all new buildings will have to be zero-emission from 2028. For new buildings that are occupied, managed or owned by public authorities, the deadline is brought forward to 2026. All new buildings for which it will be technically and economically feasible will also have to be equipped with solar technologies by 2028, while for residential buildings undergoing major refurbishments the deadline is 2032.
Also, according to Strasbourg's position, residential buildings will have to achieve at least energy performance class E by 2030 and D by 2033. For nonresidential and public buildings, the target will have to be achieved by 2027 (E) and 2030 (D), respectively.
To take into account the different situations of national building stock, in the energy efficiency classification, ranging from A to G, class G will have to correspond to 15 percent of the worst performing buildings in each member state.
Energy performance improvements (e.g., insulation or renovation of the heating system) will have to be made when a new tenant moves in or when the building is sold or renovated.
EU countries will establish the measures necessary to achieve these goals in their national renovation plans, which will have to include support schemes for building efficiency upgrades and targeted subsidies for vulnerable households.
The new regulations will not apply to monuments, protected buildings and public social housing. Member states will be allowed, for a limited percentage of buildings, to adjust the new targets according to the economic and technical feasibility of renovations and the availability of skilled labor.

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