Draft proposals at a glance
Timeline
16th Dec 2002: EU adopts Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) to help meet targets of Kyoto Protocol.
Jan 2006: Deadline for implementing the directive into national law. However, most member states delayed until Jan 2009 due to lack of qualified experts. The European Commission began infringement proceedings against several countries.
14th Nov 2008: Commission proposes revision of EPBD in its Second Strategic Energy Review to reflect growing climate and energy security concerns.
23rd Apil 2009: First reading in EU Parliament. Amendments made to draft proposals.
7th Dec 2009: EU expected to reach agreement on the legislation.
End 2010: Expected implementation.
Aims of EPBD recast
The EU expects the recast measures to lower energy consumption by 5-6% across EU member states, slashing CO2 emissions by 5% by 2020.
To harmonise and strengthen EU legislation and methodologies across all member states.
Key draft proposals of EPBD recast
[Update: EPBD: EU dilutes Recast proposals to reach agreement]
New build
2019, all new buildings to produce at least as much renewable energy as they consume.
Abolish construction and renovation incentives
June 2014, EU member states to abolish incentives to construct or renovate buildings not meeting minimum energy performance requirements.
Renovations
All buildings undergoing renovations that cost more than 25% of their value, or that cover more than a quarter of its surface, to meet national energy efficiency requirements. This removes the current < 1,000sqm exemption which accounts for 72% of existing building stock (EU).
Low or zero-carbon (LZC) buildings
Member states to set targets to increase the share of low or zero-energy buildings.
Member states can set their own definitions of ‘zero and low’, but within the common principles laid down by the Commission.
Smart meters
Smart meters installed in all new buildings and when renovating older ones.
Holiday homes
Holiday homes used for less than four months a year brought within the EPBD (currently exempt).
Harmonise methodologies - ‘cost optimal’ standards
Better harmonise minimum requirements across all member states by developing a methodology to calculate the "cost-optimal" level of standards, against which member states would have to compare their actual requirements every three years.
Energy Performance Certificates
To include EPC “labels” in all sales and rental documents, including advertisements.
EPCs in public and commercial buildings – Display Energy Certificates (DEC)
All public buildings over 250m² to display Energy Performance Certificate.
Similarly, commercial buildings over 250m² if frequently visited by the public to display EPCs, but only where an EPC is issued as a result of sale, rent or construction.
The above EPBD draft proposals include the amendments made in April 2009 by the European Parliament.
This article addresses only the proposals laid down by the EU, and not member state interpretations or intentions.
At the time of writing, the UK Government had just closed its consultation to the amended proposals (Oct 2nd 09). It contests some of the key points which I hope to cover soon.
Tags: EPBD
