EPBD consultation: the Directive must become a key enabler for building renovation and lead to an nZEB-level building stock by 2050

On 30 October 2015, EuroACE submitted its reply to the European Commission’s public consultation on the review of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), together with a position paper. We called for the EPBD to do more for renovation and to support the realisation of an nZEB-level building stock by 2050.

EuroACE believes that:

• The energy performance of buildings must remain a sector regulated by EU policy and legislation, fully in line with subsidiarity
• The existing framework must be fully implemented and enforced, and its future development must aim for the building stock as a whole to reach an nZEB performance level by 2050
• The focus must urgently shift to existing buildings, which have the highest energy savings potential
• Member States should develop and implement national energy renovation strategies with milestones for 2030 and 2040, leading with certainty to an nZEB building stock by 2050
• The nZEB definition should be clarified, with more detailed guidance on how it can be extended to existing buildings
• The framework should reward integrated approaches, improve Energy Performance Certificates into proper work planning tools, upskill the workforce and be supported by well-designed financing schemes