Public Consultation: EPBD revision

EuroACE responded to the European Commission’s open consultation on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Some of our key messages:

• Zero emission buildings: the EPBD must continue to focus on the operational energy performance of buildings, as this remains the main source of carbon emissions. For new buildings, the NZEB definition should be revisited to reinforce the energy savings dimension, with all residual energy needs supplied by renewables, and with whole life cycle carbon reporting for operational and embodied carbon separately.
• Long-Term Renovation Strategies (LTRS): they need more frequent updates and stronger oversight and monitoring of Member States’ actions. Their 2030 milestones should become part of the binding NECP review process, and they must be coordinated with the expected new requirements on minimum energy performance standards to ensure a clear trajectory for all buildings, especially the worst-performing ones.
• From plan to action: LTRS must become more than a well-conceived plan of action. They must be an effective roadmap that Member States use to guide their policy, financial and technical approaches to transforming the building stock, with robust binding milestones, more data on buildings and monitoring of progress against the 2030 and 2050 EU climate milestones.