The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is under revision as part of the EU’s climate change efforts. The EU Parliament wants to reduce GHG emissions by 55% from the 1990 level by 2030.
In relation to this, Irish MEP Ciarán Cuffe has made a call called for minimum energy performance standards in EU countries to protect households from high energy costs. This after he was instituted as the European Parliament’s rapporteur on draft EU legislation aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in buildings.
The Dublin-based MEP said that, “As an architect and planner I know that buildings can lead the way in reducing emissions. I believe we can work with communities to mobilise efforts to make the difference. This is a significant challenge. We know that more than one third of the EU’s emissions come from buildings, and our efforts to tackle this are central to our decarbonisation efforts.”
“An A-rated home has reduced emissions and lower heating bills. This can be a win-win for all,” he said. “I want every country within the EU to put in place minimum energy performance standards. These can help ensure that householders are protected from high energy costs and price shocks.”
The MEP commented that “deep renovations” of buildings are crucial and called for one-stop shops to be established across the EU, so that householders could get advice on their options. “In addition to insulating our homes we must move away from gas and oil to using electric heat pumps that can reduce costs and emissions.,” he added.
LSL News.