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REPORT (COM(2021)0802 – C90469/2021 – 2021/0426(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast)

A-9-2023-0033

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy · Rapporteur: Ciarán Cuffe

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Parliament's amended version of the Commission's proposed directive on the energy performance of buildings (recast) sets rules to turn the EU building stock into zero-emission buildings by 2050. It requires all new buildings to be zero-emission from 2026 (public) and 2028 (all), and sets minimum energy performance standards phasing out the worst-performing buildings. It bans fossil-fuel heating in new and majorly renovated buildings from the date of transposition and phases it out from all buildings by 2035 or, if not feasible, by 2040. It requires solar installations on new and existing buildings on a timetable, renovation passports, national building renovation plans, and support for vulnerable households. It sets rules on energy performance certificates, technical building systems, indoor environmental quality, sustainable mobility infrastructure, smart readiness, data exchange and financing.

Committee position. The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy proposes to amend the Commission proposal by strengthening minimum energy performance standards, phasing out fossil-fuel heating, requiring solar installations, renovation passports, and support for vulnerable households.

Key points

  1. Member States must establish national building renovation plans to transform their building stock into zero-emission buildings by 2050, with targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050.
  2. All new buildings must be zero-emission from 1 January 2026 if occupied, operated or owned by public authorities, and from 1 January 2028 for all new buildings.
  3. Minimum energy performance standards require public and non-residential buildings to reach class E by 2027 and D by 2030, and residential buildings class E by 2030 and D by 2033.
  4. Fossil-fuel heating systems must not be authorised in new buildings or buildings undergoing major renovation, deep renovation or heating system renovation from the date of transposition.
  5. Member States must phase out fossil-fuel-based heating systems from all buildings by 2035, or by 2040 at the latest if not feasible and demonstrated to the Commission.
  6. Member States must ensure deployment of solar energy installations on new public and non-residential buildings, existing public and non-residential buildings, new residential buildings and roofed carparks, and buildings undergoing major renovation, by set dates.
  7. Member States must introduce renovation passports by 31 December 2024, providing a roadmap for deep renovation to transform buildings into zero-emission buildings by 2050.
  8. Member States must support compliance with minimum energy performance standards through financial measures, technical assistance, one-stop shops, and safeguards for vulnerable households.
  9. Energy performance certificates must include energy performance class, primary and final energy use, life-cycle GWP, and recommendations, and be issued for buildings constructed, renovated, sold or rented.
  10. Member States must set requirements for technical building systems, including building automation and control systems in non-residential buildings above 290 kW by 2024 and 70 kW by 2029.
  11. Member States must set indoor environmental quality requirements based on measurable indicators including carbon dioxide, temperature, humidity, daylight, ventilation rate and acoustics.
  12. Member States must ensure recharging points and bicycle parking spaces in new and renovated non-residential and residential buildings, with pre-cabling for electric vehicles.

Who is affected

  • Member States, which must transpose the directive and establish national building renovation plans, minimum energy performance standards and support schemes.
  • Building owners and tenants, who must obtain energy performance certificates and comply with renovation obligations and fossil-fuel heating bans.
  • Vulnerable households and people in energy poverty, who receive priority financial support, safeguards against eviction and free renovation passports.
  • Public authorities, whose buildings must meet exemplary energy performance standards and display energy performance certificates.
  • Financial institutions, which must offer green mortgages and loans and comply with mortgage portfolio standards.

Figures and deadlines

  • Zero-emission buildings by 2050
  • New public buildings zero-emission from 1 January 2026
  • All new buildings zero-emission from 1 January 2028
  • Public and non-residential buildings: class E by 1 January 2027, class D by 1 January 2030
  • Residential buildings: class E by 1 January 2030, class D by 1 January 2033
  • Fossil-fuel heating phase-out from all buildings by 2035, or 2040 at the latest
  • Solar installations on new public and non-residential buildings by 24 months after entry into force
  • Solar installations on existing public and non-residential buildings by 31 December 2026

Legal basis: Article 194(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union