EU governments have adopted their official position on revising the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) [1] today, ahead of negotiations with the European Parliament. The revised EPBD is expected for adoption early next year.

EU member states have adopted a positive position on long-term commitments and planning towards 2050.

However, ministers have failed to agree on direct, EU-wide measures needed to drive rapid renovation of Europe’s worst-performing buildings.

While a declaration of ambition was submitted by a minority of member states, today’s lack of agreement on direct measures undermines the original key objectives of the revision – namely, to ‘boost energy efficiency, cut emissions, tackle energy poverty, and support economic recovery and job creation’.

Instead, ministers have decided to adopt non-binding provisions to upgrade the worst energy-performing buildings in their respective countries.

In practice, the agreement means the worst-performing residential buildings can still be lived in, sold, and rented well into the 2030s. Owners will not be obliged to renovate these buildings. This will worsen Europe’s dependence on costly fossil gas and oil and damage our economy.

Members of the European Parliament can begin to rectify this when its industry committee (ITRE) adopts its position at the end of November. Negotiations in ‘trialogues’ between the main EU institutions will follow. Therefore, it is critical that the Parliament demand a MEPS framework that guarantees immediate action on behalf of EU citizens.

In this context, ECOS demands common binding Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) this decade. MEPS must oblige EU member states and the renovation ecosystem to rapidly reduce energy consumption for the climate and costs for citizens. [2]
 
Michael Neaves, Buildings Programme Manager at Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS):

‘The position adopted by member states today is a renovation ripple, not a wave, which will leave citizens with little hope that policies and financial support for deep renovation are around the corner to help them avoid future energy-price crunches. After this move, it’s uncertain whether the Renovation Wave will provide the momentum to scale up and deliver the necessary energy savings.

Today’s decision is just disappointing – rather than a Renovation Wave, this is a Renovation Ripple. Members of the European Parliament must act strongly to support the Renovation Wave and stop climate backsliding’.

Notes to editors:

[1] Council of the European Union – ‘Fit for 55’: Council agrees on stricter rules for energy performance of buildings – https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/10/25/fit-for-55-council-agrees-on-stricter-rules-for-energy-performance-of-buildings/

Background: What are Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)?

Tackling energy consumption at source by improving the energy efficiency of buildings through Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for buildings is a priority to ensure that energy is saved and no longer wasted on powering and heating our homes at great cost for people and the planet. This will be the case for at least this year for all energy-inefficient buildings that account for over 70% of EU building stock. If unresolved, this will be a continuing liability for national governments for the foreseeable future. This letter from the renovation industry rightly highlights the numerous social and economic benefits that make high-ambition MEPS a no-regret option.

Michael Neaves, programme manager at ECOS – michael.neaves@ecostandard.org