EU Policy concerning Low Carbon Refurbishment
Most of the buildings that are expected to make up the EU building stock in 2050 exist already today. Energy performance of buildings was not an issue of concern prior to the 1970ies and energy standards since have only gradually been tightened. Therefore by far the major part of the European building stock now use considerably more energy than that necessary, if built using current construction techniques. For achieving the energy efficiency target of 20% reduction by 2020, it is therefore key to improve the energy performance of the existing building stock.
The recast of the Buildings Directive (EPBD – for the full text click here, for further information click here) of May 2010 recognises this by stating the need for the European Commission to develop an action plan to propose measures that encourage best practice in terms of a cost-effective transformation of existing buildings into nearly zero-energy buildings. Consequently, the Energy Efficiency Plan 2011 (EEP – for the full text click here, for further information click here) states the need to focus on instruments which can trigger the refurbishment process in public and private buildings and on the improvement of the energy performance of components and appliances used in buildings.
Key to improving the energy performance of the building stock is the effective mobilisation of public bodies. Therefore the EEP sets out, that public bodies should take the lead in bringing their building stock up to high energy performance levels by at least doubling the current rate of refurbishment. With its draft Energy Efficiency Directive (for the full text click here, for further information click here), has tabled a proposal for a 3% per year refurbishment rate of public buildings each year and to bring these buildings up to the level of the best 10% of the national building stock. Furthermore, when public bodies rent or buy existing buildings, these should always meet the best possible energy performance levels available. This is currently being discussed by the member states and the European Parliament in the normal EU-legislative procedure (co-decision procedure).
Further information regarding low carbon refurbishment policy will follow soon.
Most of the buildings that are expected to make up the EU building stock in 2050 exist already today. Energy performance of buildings was not an issue of concern prior to the 1970ies and energy standards since have only gradually been tightened. Therefore by far the major part of the European building stock now use considerably more energy than that necessary, if built using current construction techniques. For achieving the energy efficiency target of 20% reduction by 2020, it is therefore key to improve the energy performance of the existing building stock.
The recast of the Buildings Directive (EPBD – for the full text click here, for further information click here) of May 2010 recognises this by stating the need for the European Commission to develop an action plan to propose measures that encourage best practice in terms of a cost-effective transformation of existing buildings into nearly zero-energy buildings. Consequently, the Energy Efficiency Plan 2011 (EEP – for the full text click here, for further information click here) states the need to focus on instruments which can trigger the refurbishment process in public and private buildings and on the improvement of the energy performance of components and appliances used in buildings.
Key to improving the energy performance of the building stock is the effective mobilisation of public bodies. Therefore the EEP sets out, that public bodies should take the lead in bringing their building stock up to high energy performance levels by at least doubling the current rate of refurbishment. With its draft Energy Efficiency Directive (for the full text click here, for further information click here), has tabled a proposal for a 3% per year refurbishment rate of public buildings each year and to bring these buildings up to the level of the best 10% of the national building stock. Furthermore, when public bodies rent or buy existing buildings, these should always meet the best possible energy performance levels available. This is currently being discussed by the member states and the European Parliament in the normal EU-legislative procedure (co-decision procedure).
Further information regarding low carbon refurbishment policy will follow soon.
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