carbon

A new law requiring member states to promote the renovation of buildings to make them more energy efficient to reduce the EU’s carbon dioxide emissions was approved by the European Parliament today.

Thus, from 2030 all new buildings in the EU should have zero carbon emissions. Agricultural buildings and heritage buildings will be excluded. The majority of the 370 members of the European Parliament voted in favor of the bill, while 199 were against and 46 abstained.

Emission reduction targets

In detail, as reported by APE-MPE, from 2030 all new buildings must record zero greenhouse gas emissions, while the corresponding deadline for new buildings that house or belong to public authorities is set for 2028. Member States will they can take into account how much a building contributes to global warming throughout its lifetime, taking into account all the construction products used in its construction, from production to disposal.

For homes, Member States must introduce measures to reduce average primary energy consumption by at least 16% by 2030 and by at least 20-22% by 2035.

Under the new directive, EU countries will have to establish minimum energy performance requirements and ensure that 16% of non-residential buildings with the worst energy performance are renovated by 2030 and 26% by 2033.

By 2030 all new homes should be equipped with solar energy collection technologies. The same will apply to public and non-residential buildings, but only if this is technically and economically feasible, depending on the size of each building.

Fossil fuel boilers are being phased out

Member states must adopt measures to decarbonize heating systems and phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling, with fossil fuel boilers phased out completely by 2040. From 2025, subsidies for standalone fossil fuel boilers.

However, financial incentives may continue to be given for hybrid heating systems with a significant share of renewable energy, such as those combining a boiler with a solar thermal installation or a heat pump.

Exceptions

Agricultural buildings and heritage buildings may be exempted from the new rules. On a case-by-case basis, EU countries will also be able to decide to exclude buildings protected for their special architectural or historical value, buildings in temporary use, as well as churches and places of worship.

The rapporteur for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive Ciarán Cuffe (Greens, Ireland) said: “The directive clearly shows how climate policy can have real and immediate benefits for the least well-off in our society. The new legislation will help reduce energy bills and tackle the root causes of energy poverty, while providing thousands of high-quality local jobs across the EU.

Tackling 36% of Europe’s CO2 emissions adds an absolutely essential pillar to the European Green Deal. Today’s result shows that Parliament continues to support a Green Deal that pursues both social justice and environmental ambition, on an equal footing.”

The directive approved by the EP will now have to be formally approved by the EU Council of Ministers in order to become law.