Efficient Buildings

advancing energy efficiency in European buildings

Deal on the Buildings Directive, no time to lose for its roll-out

 

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The political agreement found on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a positive signal for the efficient buildings industry in Europe. EuroACE now urges the European Parliament and the Council to finalise and formally adopt the text.

As 118 countries are calling for doubling the pace of efficiency improvements this decade, today’s agreement starts to put words into practice in the EU buildings sector. The European Union is finally making progress on structural measures to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and durably shelter its citizens and businesses from energy price hikes while also improving living conditions.

The political agreement found on the EPBD is a balanced compromise. While the text maintains a clear roadmap for owners and industry players in the non-residential sector through Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), negotiators opted for a more  flexible, so-called “trajectory” approach for the residential sector. EuroACE calls for more clarity and concrete requirements in the early implementation phase to drive finance into decarbonising the building sector.

The text also brings welcome provisions facilitating the energy renovation process – rolling out one-stop shops, clarity on deep renovations as well as improving access to quality information and finance to ensure affordable renovations. It also looks at efficiency in buildings more holistically, with provisions to increase digitalisation, empower occupants with greater control over their energy consumption, address whole-life carbon, and improve indoor environmental quality.

“The EPBD is the final cornerstone of the Fit-for-55 package. It is our roadmap to ensure that Europeans have buildings that are decarbonised, energy efficient, and healthy. The political agreement found today should boost confidence in the renovation market and spur holistic renovations. The technologies to deliver are ready,” said Julie Kjestrup, President of EuroACE and Head of Policy and Thought Leadership at VELUX.

“Together with the Electricity Market Design and the Net Zero Industry Act, the EPBD paves the way to make buildings central actors of the energy system. The promotion of new digital tools and upgrades in both active and passive technologies will empower citizens and businesses to become actors of the transition,” said Bertrand Deprez, Vice-President of EuroACE and VP EU Government Affairs at Schneider Electric.

“Reaching such an agreement in the current adverse political context is a strong achievement. We now urge the co-negotiators to swiftly finalise and formally adopt the text. EuroACE and its members stand ready to support Member States throughout the implementation phase,” said Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE.

ENDS

Run-up to COP28: Insights from the efficient buildings sector

 

Join us next Tuesday for a pre-COP28 moderated public debate!

This online event brings together leading companies, members of EuroACE – Energy Efficient Buildings, and the Under2 Coalition and Subnational Governments to discuss what we expect and want COP28 to deliver on efficient buildings, upcoming actions at COP28, and links between EU policy and COP28 on energy efficiency in buildings.

The speakers will cover different aspects on efficient buildings, such the rising importance of cooling, digitalisation, buildings at the heart of the energy system, and decarbonisation.

Join us for this insightful discussion on the role of the energy efficiency sector in buildings leading up to COP28, and the role of subnational governments and regions. Register now to engage in this conversation.

Click here to register

Format: 1 hour and 30 minutes webinar with a moderated discussion featuring short introductory interventions (no PowerPoint presentations)

Agenda

11h00 Introduction and welcome remarks by Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE – Energy Efficiency Buildings

11h05 Expectations and actions related to COP28: interventions by the Under2 Coalition and EuroACE member companies
• 6 min – Nehmat Kaur, Head of Under2 Coalition and Subnational Governments, Climate Group, sets the context and presents their expectations of COP28 and their actions
• 3-4 min – 6 EuroACE members from different sectors present their expectations of COP28 and their actions
o VELUX – Julie Kjestrup, President of EuroACE & Head of Policy and Thought Leadership
o Schneider Electric – Timothée Mace Dubois, Head of Institutional affairs
o Danfoss Climate Solutions – Andrea Voigt, Head of Global Public Affairs, Industry Affairs & Communication
o Autodesk – Clemence Arto, Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, EMEA
o Johnson Controls – Renae Kezar, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs
o Saint-Gobain, Céline Carré, Head of Public Affairs
• 3 min – reaction by the Under2 Coalition

11h40 Discussion among all speakers moderated by Adrian Joyce
Based on the questions of the audience and the questions formulated by Adrian based on the interventions of the speakers

12h25 Conclusions by Adrian Joyce, EuroACE – Energy Efficiency Buildings

12h30 End of webinar

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