Building efficiency: Parliament ENVI Committee takes the lead
On 7 September 2017, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament adopted the Jäätteenmäki and Guteland opinion reports on the EPBD and the EED, sending a clear and positive initial signal on building energy renovation as a key solution.
On the EPBD, the ENVI Committee voted overwhelmingly to clarify that a decarbonised building stock means a stock which is highly energy efficient and performs at nZEB level. The national long-term renovation strategies were considerably strengthened with milestones and action plans, alongside improvements on financing, energy advisory services, smart technologies and holistic renovations to improve indoor air quality. “Such improvements should have been complemented with a clear support for Building Renovation Passports, which we believe is the tool of the future to support consumers in comprehensive, step-by-step renovations,” commented Adrian Joyce.
On the EED, the Committee recalled the Parliament’s position for a binding 40% energy efficiency target for 2030, with national binding targets, the renovation objective widened to all public buildings, and a bolstered Article 7 without loopholes.
