Irish Regions Office Website

June 15, 2009

Green Housing plans setback

The Czech EU Presidency and the European Commission communicated a progress report on the revision of the
largely unimplemented Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) to EU ministers at their 12 June Council meeting. This is part of a wider energy efficiency package along with initiatives on energy labelling and tyre labelling directives as part of the drive to contribute to reaching the EU's target of using 20% less energy by 2020.

The report is broadly supportive of the proposals amended by the European Parliament's first-reading position from
April which include calls for Member States to set percentages for a minimum share of buildings to be energy neutral by 2015 and the installation of smart metres in all new and renovated buildings. However, it reflects concerns expressed by several Member States over the likelihood of a significantly increased administrative burden, subsidiarity considerations (i.e. whether this issue should be legislated for at EU level), cost-efficiency, certification, property owners being discouraged to carry out renovations as a result of stricter rules, adaptability to different national circumstances and policies to promote energy efficiency, the proposed lowering of the size threshold for subjecting existing buildings to minimum requirements to 250 m2, and the proposal that all new buildings should produce at least as much renewable energy on-site as they consume by 2019.

Progress Report
Proposed Directive

Posted by iroronan at June 15, 2009 12:39 PM