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DRAFT 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)

ITRE-PR-732742

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

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This is the rapporteur's draft report on the proposed recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. It proposes amendments to make zero-emission buildings the standard, phase out fossil fuel heating, and introduce minimum energy performance standards starting with the worst-performing buildings. It adds social safeguards for vulnerable households, requires solar energy installations on buildings, and sets rules for charging infrastructure and bicycle parking. It strengthens requirements for life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, indoor environmental quality, and circularity, and calls for financing tools including one-stop-shops and mortgage portfolio standards.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes to amend the Commission proposal to strengthen energy performance standards, phase out fossil fuels, introduce social safeguards, and promote deep renovations and renewable energy in buildings.

Key points

  1. Member States must ensure new buildings are zero-emission from 1 January 2025 for public authorities and from 1 January 2025 for all new buildings.
  2. Member States must set minimum energy performance standards for worst-performing buildings, with public buildings reaching class D by 2027 and C by 2030.
  3. Member States must phase out fossil fuel use in heating and cooling by 2035 at the latest and ban fossil fuel boilers in new and renovated buildings.
  4. Member States must ensure solar energy installations on new and existing buildings, with deadlines from 2025 to 2030 depending on building type.
  5. Member States must introduce social safeguards to protect vulnerable households from evictions and rent increases due to renovation.
  6. Member States must calculate and limit life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of new and renovated buildings, with decreasing limits every five years.
  7. Member States must ensure indoor environmental quality standards and require monitoring devices in buildings.
  8. Member States must provide charging points and bicycle parking spaces in new and renovated buildings, with specific ratios.
  9. Member States must establish one-stop-shops for renovation advice, at least one per 50,000 inhabitants, and provide free energy performance certificates for vulnerable households.
  10. Member States must set up mortgage portfolio standards and other financing tools to mobilise investments in energy renovations.
  11. Member States must adopt integrated district approaches to renovation, including mobility, green infrastructure, and waste management.
  12. Member States must ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities in common spaces of buildings.

Who is affected

  • Building owners and tenants, who must comply with new standards and benefit from support.
  • Vulnerable and low-income households, who receive priority support and safeguards.
  • Public authorities, which must lead by example in achieving higher energy classes.
  • Financial institutions, which must implement mortgage portfolio standards.
  • Construction and renovation sector, which must deliver deep renovations and skills.

Figures and deadlines

  • 40% of final energy consumption in the Union is from buildings.
  • 36% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in the Union are from buildings.
  • 42% of energy used for space heating in residential sectors is from natural gas.
  • 14% of energy used for space heating in residential sectors is from oil.
  • 3% of energy used for space heating in residential sectors is from coal.
  • 55% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 below 1990 levels is the Union target.
  • 1.5°C is the temperature increase limit pursued under the Paris Agreement.
  • 15% is the threshold for significant discrepancies in cost-optimal levels.

Legal basis: Article 294(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union