Member Policy Update
Welcome to the Europe Regional Network’s September 2017 Policy Update, providing GBC members with the latest news on all things relating to European green building policy.
Final Report on Level(s)Released
At the end of August, the European Commission released the Beta version of Level(s), the EU framework of sustainability indicators for office and residential buildings. The framework consists of two documents which can be found at the bottom of this page.
The first report gives an overview of what Level(s) is and consists of two parts –part 1 provides details on the structure of Level(s), who should use it and the benefits of using it. Part 2 provides users with a basic introduction to all of the elements of the framework and how it can be used as a whole, or in part, to report on the performance of building projects.
A separate report contains part 3 and provides a complete set of technical guidance on how to make performance assessments and report on the results.
A testing phase for Level(s) will be launched shortly and run for two years. The Commission will host a pilot phase workshop in Brussels on 4 December for organisations keen to be involved. Further information on testing is available here.
At the end of August, the European Commission released the Beta version of Level(s), the EU framework of sustainability indicators for office and residential buildings. The framework consists of two documents which can be found at the bottom of this page.
The first report gives an overview of what Level(s) is and consists of two parts –part 1 provides details on the structure of Level(s), who should use it and the benefits of using it. Part 2 provides users with a basic introduction to all of the elements of the framework and how it can be used as a whole, or in part, to report on the performance of building projects.
A separate report contains part 3 and provides a complete set of technical guidance on how to make performance assessments and report on the results.
A testing phase for Level(s) will be launched shortly and run for two years. The Commission will host a pilot phase workshop in Brussels on 4 December for organisations keen to be involved. Further information on testing is available here.
On 7 September, Members of the European Parliament’s environment committee (ENVI) adopted opinion reports on both the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).
For the EPBD, the Committee voted to clarify that the new goal for a ‘decarbonised building stock’ means a stock which is highly energy efficient and performs at a nearly zero-energy building level. The introduction of milestones strengthens the national long-term renovation strategies, and the role of energy efficient buildings in improving health and comfort is highlighted.
For the EED, the Committee agreed to support increasing the European Commission’s proposed 30% legally binding energy efficiency target to 40%.
Further, loopholes under Article 7 – the article that outlines requirements for energy efficiency obligations on utilities that would deliver about half of the Directive’s entire savings – have been closed. This will help to ensure a greater focus on energy efficiency and renovation to achieve the overall target.
Members of European Parliament in the energy committee (ITRE), the lead committee in charge of the directive, will vote on the EPBD on 11 October. ITRE will vote on the EED on 28 November. GBCs across Europe will be contacting their MEPs to support ambitious outcomes.
Guide to Energy Efficiency in the Clean Energy Package Published
On 14 September, the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee) published a guide “Understanding energy efficiency in the European Commission’s Clean Energy Package”. This guide aims to help the reader to understand how the European Commission makes decisions related to energy efficiency legislation.
The guide goes into detail on the review of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the status of the legislative processes and any major outstanding issues.
The guide also gives an overview of the energy efficiency related aspects in other legislative proposals including the governance proposal, market design proposal and the Renewable Energy Directive.
New EU Emissions Rules Launched
Over 3,000 large combustion plants (LCPs) must comply with the new rules by 2021 – however, national authorities may be allowed derogations if costs prove to be disproportionate compared to the environmental benefits.
The European Commission has also announced that it will review the permits of LCPs after an implementing act brought into effect ‘Best Available Technique’ (BAT) conclusions. The review of permits will be enforced over the next four years ahead of the 2021 deadline.
Further information is available here.
European Parliament Votes for Higher Emissions Targets
On 4 August, Members of European Parliament (MEPs) in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) agreed that renewable energy targets should be more ambitious than those that have been put forward by the Commission.
Under 2020 targets, individual EU member states must meet legally binding national targets. However, under the Commission’s proposal for 2030, governments are free to set their own goals nationally provided the EU’s overall target of 27% is reached.
Further, Rapporteur José Blanco López has said the target must go beyond 27% or the EU is at risk of adopting a directive that is ‘immediately obsolete’. López also says that the large number of amendments tabled on the Directive suggests that the revised legislation should include binding targets for member states for 2030.
The Commission is scheduled to vote on the directive report on 28 November.
BPIE Publish Fact Sheet on Investment in Renovation
BPIE has published a fact sheet on investment in renovation which aims to dispel the myth that it is difficult to attract private sector investment in building renovation.
The fact sheet cautions that achieving a decarbonised building stock by 2050 requires considerable investment, estimated at around €60-100 billion annually up to 2020, and after.
The fact sheet aims to highlight the role that public sector investment can play in leveraging private finance. Successful examples of schemes where public sector funding was used to raise private sector investment include:
- Eco-loans in France resulting in nearly 25,000 energy renovations each year
- A scheme in The Netherlands enabling green investors to borrow at a better interest rate
- A scheme in Malta which provides grants for double glazing windows and insulating roofs
The fact sheet further states the need for the article on renovation strategies in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) to set out a clear method for leveraging private investments through public funding.
The full fact sheet is available here.
New Report Projects Rapid Growth of Smart Buildings
A new report recently added to ResearchandMarkets.com has forecast that the smart building market will reach $31.74 billion by 2022 from $7.42 billion in 2017. This growth will be driven by an increased need for integrated security and safety systems in buildings and the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) platform in building automation technology.
Europe is expected to account for the largest market share during this period, and it is forecast that this will be driven by increased government initiatives supporting smart building and intelligent structure.
Initiatives in Europe promoting smart and zero energy buildings, mandatory changes to country level building codes and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), are expected to enhance existing infrastructure and lead to the growth of the smart building market.
Further information can be found here.
All Cars Set to Be Electric Vehicles by 2035
A new report by Dutch bank, ING, has predicted that all new cars sold in Europe in 2035 will be electric. This will be driven by a combination of government support, decreased battery costs and economies of scale.
The report was published at a time when the European Commission were forced to deny that a quota on the production of electric cars by 2030 would be mandatory. According to reports, cabinet members in the climate, industry, energy union and transport directorates had reached a consensus on the need for tough, enforceable targets on electric vehicles.
Further details can be found here.
On 29 August, the European Commission launched a new website which makes it possible to see which public consultations are currently open across different policy areas.This list gathers Commission public consultations in one place and replaces the former Your Voice in Europe website.
The website is available here.
Spotlight on RenoWiki
This month our favourite initiative in the RenoWiki is the LEARNEER project which aims to train the workforce on energy efficient retrofitting. The project uses an innovative mutual learning platform to increase professional’s skills and capabilities towards the energy efficient retrofitting of buildings.
The platform is applied as a training practice in which learners interact with other learners to share and validate knowledge, thus facilitating new opportunities on the labour market.
National News
United Kingdom – Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Released
In the UK, draft guidance for the domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) has been published. The guidance states that from April 2018 it will be illegal to rent out a property with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of F or G.
However, the draft guidance indicates that landlords will be able to apply for an exemption if they are not able to fund the improvements through grants, raising concerns that the regulations may be undermined.
Further information is available here.
Ireland – National Mitigation Plan Recognises the Role of Buildings
In Ireland, the publication of the National Mitigation Plan represents the first step in enabling the country’s transition to a low carbon, climate-resilient economy.
The plan has a specific chapter on decarbonising the built environment which states that carbon mitigation in the built environment will require a combination of energy efficiency and decarbonisation of heat. Therefore, the first course of action is to renovate a building before focusing on fuel-switching.
The full report is available here.
Croatia – Incentives to Increase Renewable Energy Production Released
On 31 August, the Croatian Energy Minister, Tomislav Ćorić, announced the introduction of increased incentive fees for renewable energy producers to boost the share of clean energy. Croatia’s Energy Market Operator will implement new quotas and tariffs for eligible clean energy producers, thereby raising the costs of energy to homeowners.
Further information is available here
France – French Climate Action Plan is Unveiled
On 6 July, the French Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot unveiled the details of France’s climate action plan which aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 and an end to sales of fossil fuel-powered cars by 2040.
Inefficient buildings are identified as a key source of emissions and says that government will introduce schemes to help homeowners renovate their homes. The plan also commits to help homeowners to produce their electricity.
Further information is available here.