The European Parliament and member states reached an agreement on Thursday to accelerate energy renovation projects and achieve a fully “zero emissions” building stock by 2050 in the EU.
The agreement foresees that from 2030 all new buildings will be carbon neutral, thanks to moderate consumption and the use of carbon-free energy. New buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission from 2028. Existing buildings must be transformed to become zero-emission by 2050.
“This is one more step towards the EU’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Today is a good day for citizens, our economy and our planet,” greeted the Spanish Minister of Ecological Transition Teresa Ribera, whose country holds the biannual presidency of the Council of the EU.
“Wasted energy”
“Buildings are responsible for more than a third of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. Thanks to this agreement, we will be able to improve the energy performance of buildings, reduce emissions and fight energy poverty,” he said in a statement. Press conference. release.
“Wasted energy is money wasted on bills. We must help citizens save money and protect them against volatile energy prices (…) we have chosen a path that can reduce energy bills for everyone, homeowners and renters” , declared Irish MEP Ciarán Cuffe (Greens), rapporteur of the text.
For residential buildings, Member States must implement measures to ensure a reduction in energy consumption of at least 16% by 2030 and at least 20% to 22% by 2035. Member States Members will have to renovate 16% of the least efficient non-residential buildings by 2030 and, by 2033, 26% of the least efficient ones through minimum energy efficiency requirements.
Completely eliminate fossil fuel boilers
“If technically and economically appropriate”, Member States will have to gradually implement solar installations on public and non-residential buildings, depending on their size, and on all new residential buildings until 2030, says the European Parliament.
The text, a key element of the European climate plan, also plans to completely eliminate fossil fuel boilers by 2040. “Member States must also stop subsidizing autonomous fossil fuel boilers from 2025,” it states. Exceptions to the rules are possible for agricultural and historic buildings, churches and places of worship. The agreement must still be formally approved by Parliament and the Council (Member States).
Source: BFM TV
