The long awaited trialog on the revision of the Energy performance of buildings directive (EPBD) is starting. EPBD is first in the EU’s Energy union’s package. It took exactly one year. Encouraging progress and speed on all sides. It seems the »fast track« agreement amongst three institutions to handle Energy union legislation is materializing. At least on the EPBD file, thanks to Bendt Bendsen and his staff. Forward looking and long term perspectives are reflected in his, politically well balanced, report.
Member States ambition is marginal. It is hard to understand why. Latest reports by BPIE suggest that almost 97% of all buildings in Europe need »upgrades« in terms of renovation. There is huge improvement potential. Sometimes it appears that Member States finance ministers are more worried about the low CO2 price, but do not seriously consider energy efficiency measures in the building sector and potential (energy) savings bring for the society.
But the benefits are far broader. For example, some other reports suggest that we’ve become an indoor generation, spending more than 90% of our time in buildings. This creates 84 million people in the EU living in unhealthy and often cold and moldy buildings. Strong links to the 54 million people in the EU living in energy poverty are obvious, where they have to make decision between warm homes and food. From my perspective, this is unsustainable and discriminatory.
EPBD revision during the next month offers unique opportunities to change that. I strongly believe it is time to implement long term oriented strategies and integrate preventive measures in our policies NOW. Taking a more holistic approach will benefit (primarily) every single EU citizens. Looking at the title of this package, this should be a primary driver. If EU Member states are serious about the health, wellbeing, affordable energy for their citizens, then they need to step up their ambitions in these fields. Maximizing Energy efficiency linked with the healthy benefits, should drive their main efforts. Milestones on the road towards 2050 and stimulating financial mechanisms are prerequisite for success.
In my company, we have implemented all three pillars (Energy efficiency, Comfort and sustainability) in our corporate strategy (Active House) and the way we do business as we care about the wellbeing of Europeans. We will carefully observe and measure the progress made in Member States.
Jernej Vernik webpage 