As Heads of State gather in Bonn for COP23, Renovate Europe has written to the 28 Energy Ministers to draw their attention to the contradiction between their support for the Paris Agreement and the level of ambition in the negotiations on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Subject: Energy Renovation of Buildings – The Climate Change Hero
Dear Minister,
We write to draw your attention to the contradiction that exists between your support for the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the level of ambition in the tripartite negotiations in Brussels on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
The revision of the EPBD holds the potential to create an opportunity for Europe to boost energy renovation in an unprecedented manner. Delivering on the energy savings potential tied up in our building stock is the best way to ensure that our citizens get the most from concrete action on climate change.
The effects of properly implemented strategies include, inter alia:
- greater health and well-being (saving up to €80bn per year in healthcare costs in the EU);
- higher productivity and quicker learning in schools (up to 15% higher according to multiple studies);
- huge reductions in fuel poverty (up to 6 million households could benefit by 2030).
In addition, ambitious action on energy renovation creates thousands of local quality jobs, improves air quality and boosts public finances.
In order to reap the benefits outlined above, a much more consistent and impactful policy framework is required at EU and Member State levels. The framework should foster better preparedness of all actors in the value chain including finance, industry, local authorities and consumers.
We therefore urge you to favourably consider the following key improvements for the EPBD, which have been formulated in the Parliament’s position (which enjoys full cross-party support) on the file:
- A clear, ambitious 2050 nZEB1 Vision for the building stock that puts energy efficiency first;
- Long-term national renovation strategies, equipped with milestones at 2030 and 2040, that make a difference by boosting renovation rate and depth and equipped with measurable progress indicators;
- Maximise the positive impact of energy renovation for the economy and for the health and comfort of citizens through the adoption and use of the best tools and solutions for the building envelope, heating and/or cooling systems and control of energy flows and the use of appropriate methods to measure and report progress in line with the efficiency first principle (a matter for Annexe I of the EPBD).
These three key elements enjoy full support from a broad range of stakeholders, including the Renovate Europe partners, who are ready to deliver the solutions and technologies needed to energy renovate our building stock well before 2050. These points are further elaborated in the annexe to this letter.
We count on your personal support to the revision of the EPBD as a key opportunity to foster European leadership on making progress towards the achievement of the goals of the Paris Agreement.
We are ready and willing to provide you and to your administration more information on our concerns through written submissions, telephone conversations or meetings.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Joyce
Campaign Director
1 Nearly Zero Energy Building – the requirement of the current EPBD for all new buildings.
