Commission’s Heating & Cooling Strategy needs to do more on buildings

On 16 February 2016, the European Commission unveiled its Heating & Cooling Strategy as part of the Sustainable Energy Security Package. EuroACE welcomed DG ENER’s efforts to gather more data and give a comprehensive picture of heating and cooling in the EU, which represents around 70% of energy consumption in buildings, but called for more concrete action in the buildings sector.

“We are glad that the Heating & Cooling Strategy includes energy efficiency measures in buildings and building renovation as key points to be followed up, but the document fails to fully put the Energy Efficiency First principle into action with concrete policy measures,” explained Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE. Reducing the energy demand of buildings should be the priority measure, as it is technologically feasible, economically affordable and brings multiple benefits.

The rate and depth of building renovation should be improved, notably through a revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. EuroACE welcomed the Strategy’s specific measures on the EPBD revision and the Smart Finance for Smart Buildings initiative, including on split incentives, access to finance, skills and the reliability of Energy Performance Certificates.