Press Release: EuroACE reactions on the ‘Fit for 55 Package’
EuroACE – Energy Efficient Buildings welcomed the publication by the European Commission of its Fit for 55 ‘July Package’. Well-designed and fully interconnected EU legislation will be the main driver for the achievement of the EU goals to transform our building stock to be highly energy efficient and decarbonised.
“Within the FF55 Package, the Energy Efficiency Directive is the piece of legislation that lifts the bar of ambition when it comes to a more efficient energy performance of our buildings and our energy systems. We welcome the proposed binding EU headline target that aims at reducing by 39% the EU’s primary energy consumption by 2030, along with the more ambitious energy savings obligations set out in the new Article 8,” said Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE.
“The strengthening of the renovation requirement in the new Article 6 to now cover all buildings owned by public bodies and requiring them to reach NZEB levels is a big leap forward and one that can really help create scale. What’s key now is to ensure a similarly high level of ambition and coherence for the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) later this year,” said Julie Kjestrup, President of EuroACE.
“The FF55 Package provides a roadmap for accelerating renovation, but much more work is needed to win the decarbonisation race for buildings. EuroACE members are ready for the legislative marathon and help make energy efficient, healthy and comfortable buildings a reality for all Europeans,” added Céline Carré, Vice-President of EuroACE.
EuroACE also noted that a new standalone Emissions Trading System for buildings was being proposed, along with a new Climate Social Fund. This instrument raises many questions and will have to be carefully designed to support the goals of the Renovation Wave. The Fund should be channelled into the energy renovation of buildings, and it should be established and operational well before the start of the new ETS.
