Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  April 12, 2024

EU Council Adopts Rules to Improve Energy Performance

The European Council formally adopted a revised directive on the energy performance of buildings to help lower GHG emissions and energy poverty in the EU.

EU buildings account for over one-third of GHG emissions. Under the new rules, all new buildings should be zero-emission buildings by 2030, according to a statement. By 2050, the EU’s building stock should be transformed into zero-emission building stock.

For non-residential buildings, the revised directive introduces minimum energy performance standards ensuring that buildings do not exceed the specified maximum amount of primary or final energy that they can use per m2 annually. 

Member states will also ensure that the average primary energy use of residential buildings will be reduced by 16% in 2030 and by 20-22% in 2035. At least 55% of the energy reduction will be achieved through renovations of the 43% worst-performing residential buildings.

The new rules will ensure the deployment of solar energy installations in new buildings, public buildings and existing non-residential buildings under renovation that require a permit. They will also include recharging points for electric cars in or next to buildings, pre-cabling or ducting to accommodate future infrastructure and parking spaces for bicycles.

The directive will now be signed and published in the Official Journal of the EU. Member states will have two years to incorporate the provisions of the directive into their national legislation.