In the context of the current lively debate on the direction to give to the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) Directive by the European Commission, EBC has published its position and calls for action today. Its construction SMEs are calling for realistic and proportionate measures, notably boosting One-Stop Shops for energy efficiency, while asking for a separate in-depth debate on life cycle considerations.
In addition to the public consultation on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the European Commission (EC) organised a series of stakeholder workshops dedicated to the revision of the directive in order to collect exhaustively the different points of view on the issue. Expressing the reflections and arguments of its construction SMEs, EBC participated in the process by responding to the consultation and participating in the relevant EC workshops; a process which has led to the publication today of its EBC position paper on the revision of the EPBD.
As the construction ecosystem has a leading role to play in the sustainable transition to a green and circular economy in Europe, EBC and its construction SMEs believe that the upcoming revision of the EPBD could be a great additional opportunity to boost energy efficiency renovation in Europe and help achieve the targets of the European Green Deal. However, at the same time, EBC also alerts on the need to further discuss certain remaining issues. More specifically, EBC considers that:
- The new EPBD will present a glowing opportunity to unlock the full potential stemming from One-Stop Shops.
- Any discussion on whole life-cycle carbon elements should take place separately after finding a consensus on the appropriate ways to deal with the topic, rather than cramping it into the EPBD.
- The Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) need to be reinforced and streamlined, to eventually obtain a harmonised framework across the EU.
- The concept of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) needs to be clearly defined due to the current varying quality and characteristics.
- Adequate support for citizens and construction SMEs is needed regarding the potential rollout of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS).
- Europe must ensure that the sector has the skills to deliver on the green & digital transition of buildings.
“Construction SMEs are already working on transforming Europe’s built environment to achieve the objectives of the Green Deal while leveraging the full potential of digitalisation. In that sense, the revision of the EPBD can present an opportunity towards boosting buildings’ energy performance and fostering energy renovation across Europe, if policy-makers are cautious not to add further regulatory complexity to a framework that was already recently reformed again. The EPBD can be improved and adjusted but must retain its scope of improving energy performance,” said Eugenio Quintieri, EBC Secretary General.
 | To read the full EBC position paper on the revision of the EPBD, click here |