New Year and New Obligations Equals New Opportunities for Energy Efficiency in Buildings

It's that time of year again, the time of New Year's resolutions. Europeans should be aware of the benefits of investing in energy efficiency - for our environment, for our energy independence, and for our economy - public as well as private. As we enter into 2013, EuroACE - the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, is calling on EU Member States to firmly resolve to tap the enormous energy efficiency potential of buildings by securing a swift, complete and properly enforced implementation of the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

On 9th January 2013, the Member States of the EU will pass the deadline for implementation of many of the key provisions of the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EBPD) and it is crucial for the EU that these provisions are ambitiously and fully implemented.

Julie Kjestrup of Danfoss and Chair of the EuroACE Working Group on the Implementation of EU Directives, points out that "Full implementation of the EPBD at Member State level represents a significant opportunity for stimulating activity in the energy efficient buildings sector, an opportunity that could bring increased local jobs and economic activity, just when we need it most."

Full implementation means, amongst other things that we should expect to see the Member States undertaking:

§ The development of a comparative methodology for calculating cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements for buildings and building elements;
§ An extension of the requirement to set minimum energy performance levels to all buildings when a major renovation takes place, including for building envelope elements that are retrofitted or replaced;
§ The preparation of national plans to ensure that all new buildings will be nearly zero energy buildings from 1st January 2021 (1st January 2019 for public authority buildings);
§ A survey to list financial incentives that are in place to enable the transition towards nearly zero energy levels in buildings;
§ The implementation of mandatory energy certification for all properties constructed, sold or rented out, and for all buildings over 500m2 occupied by a public authority and frequently visited by the public;
§ The establishment of measures to ensure enhanced inspections of heating and cooling systems and associated reporting requirements;
§ The putting in place of penalties for obligated persons and companies for non-compliance with the provisions of the Directive.

The EPBD has the potential to be transformative for European businesses and households alike but no matter how good the Articles of this legislation look on paper no benefit will be derived for anyone, unless they are fully implemented and complied with at Member State level.  The Member States now act resolutely if we are to achieve these benefits.

Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE, commented on the passing of the deadline by saying "Given that the EPBD is a re-working of an earlier, similar Directive that was adopted 10 years ago in 2002, there is no acceptable excuse for Member States not to fully implement this important Directive in a timely and complete way."

EuroACE represents Europe's leading companies involved with the manufacture, distribution and installation of energy saving goods and services for buildings. EuroACE members have a total turnover of around €140 billion per year in efficiency-related business and they employ approximately 172,000 people in these activities in Europe. The mission of EuroACE is to work together with the EU institutions to help Europe move towards a more efficient use of energy in buildings, thereby contributing to Europe's commitments on climate change, energy security and economic growth.