The EU Council has agreed to the European Commission’s ‘Fit for 55’ proposal to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which forms part of the REPowerEU plan to bolster energy security and accelerate the transition to clean energy. The revisions commit all new buildings across member states to achieving zero-emissions by 2030, and all existing buildings to achieve zero-emissions by 2050. There will be exceptions for some buildings, such as historical buildings and places of worship. Further, members states have agreed to set requirements that ensure new buildings are designed to optimise their solar energy generation potential. The Council will now start negotiations with the European Parliament. Once an agreement is reached, the final text will be formally adopted. Jozef Síkela, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, said: “The building sector is crucial for achieving the EU’s energy and climate objectives for 2030 and 2050. But more than that, the agreement reached will help citizens make substantial energy savings. Better and more energy efficient buildings will improve citizens’ quality of life while bringing down their energy bills and alleviating energy poverty.”
Buildings account for over 30% of EU greenhouse gas emissions.
Ministers today agreed on stricter rules for the energy performance of buildings. By 2050, all buildings should be zero-emission.
On today's #TTE agenda also:
✔️gas package
✔️new energy crisis measures— EU Council (@EUCouncil) October 25, 2022
