Energy performance of buildings

2016/0381(COD)

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Bendt BENDTSEN (EPP, DK) on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows:

Strengthening planning and long-term action: Members recommended that Member States shall establish a long-term strategy for the transformation of the national stock of residential and commercial buildings, both public and private, into a highly energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050.

Specific milestones for 2030 and 2040 as well as measurable progress indicators shall be provided.

The strategy shall include actions to mobilise investments to facilitate the necessary renovations, including:

  • identification of cost-effective approaches and actions to stimulate technology neutral renovations relevant to the building type and climatic zone, considering relevant trigger points in the life-cycle of the building;
  • policies and actions to stimulate cost-effective deep renovations of buildings, including staged deep renovations and decarbonisation of the heating and cooling demand, for example by introducing a scheme for building renovation passports;
  • policies and actions to target the worst performing segments of the national building stock, households subject to energy poverty and households subject to split-incentive dilemmas as well as multifamily dwellings facing challenges to conduct renovations, while taking into consideration affordability;
  • policies and actions aiming to accelerate technological transition towards smart and well-connected buildings and communities as well as the deployment of very high-capacity networks;
  • an overview of national initiatives to promote skills and education in the construction and energy efficiency sectors as well as education in both passive elements and smart technologies;
  • a forward-looking perspective to guide investment decisions of individuals, the construction industry, public institutions including municipalities, housing cooperatives and financial institutions; 
  • an evidence-based estimate of expected energy savings and wider benefits, such as those related to health, safety and air quality.

The development and implementation of Member States’ long-term renovation strategies shall be supported by structured, permanent stakeholder platforms. Each Member State shall include details of the implementation of its longterm renovation strategy.

Financial incentives: financing mechanisms and incentives shall have a central position in the national long-term renovation strategies and be actively promoted by Member States, including by facilitating energy efficient mortgage standards for certified energy efficient building renovations, promoting investments for public authorities in an energy efficient building stock, such as by clarifying accounting standards for public investments, and by providing accessible and transparent advisory tools for consumers on their financing options for energy efficient renovations in buildings.

Proportionate electro-mobility requirements: the Commission’s proposal aims at using the revision of the Directive to contribute further to decarbonisation of transport by using the infrastructure around buildings to facilitate the rollout of electric mobility infrastructure. Members suggested focusing the requirements of the Directive to either pre-cabling or pre-tubing which allows charging infrastructures to be quickly installed in car parks.

Member States shall require installation of a minimum number of recharging points to all public and commercial non-residential buildings, with more than ten parking spaces, by 1 January 2025.

Buildings: Members proposed strengthening the elements of the proposal concerning the use of building automation, to clarify its value in its own right, and to clarify its use as alternative to inspections for simplification purposes.

The amendments made the following points:

  • for new buildings, Member States should ensure that, before construction starts, the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of high-efficiency alternative systems is taken into account. Such systems could include decentralised energy supply systems based on energy from renewable sources or waste heat; cogeneration; district or block heating or cooling and heat pumps;
  • new buildings should be equipped with self-regulating devices that regulate room temperature levels in each individual room;
  • energy performance upgrades of existing buildings shall contribute to achieving a healthy indoor environment, including by the removal of asbestos and other harmful substances and by avoiding problems such as mould.

Smart indicators: Members laid down the specific conditions, scope and purpose for the delegation of competences to the Commission to develop a smartness indicator in accordance with the methodology set out in this Directive.

The smartness indicator shall be coherent with energy performance certificates and should be used to measure buildings' capacity to use ICT and electronic systems to optimise operation, performance, indoor comfort and interact with the grid.