European Parliament votes on energy efficient building measures

31 March 2009

The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) has welcomed today’s vote on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in the Industry, Transport, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee of the European Parliament.

EREC president Arthouros Zervos said, ‘The buildings sector has not been adequately tackled in the Renewable Energy Directive. This is why the EPBD is a key piece of legislation for the renewable energy industry.

‘The ITRE Committee of the European Parliament sent today an important political signal in the midst of the climate and economic crisis,’ he added.

The ITRE report requires all new buildings to become Net-Zero Energy Buildings by 31 December 2018. These buildings combine both high energy efficiency measures and on-site renewable energy sources. Member States will have to set targets for refurbished buildings to become Net-Zero Energy Buildings in their national plans, plans that can be rejected by the Commission if they do not fulfill the requirements.

The ITRE report foresees – in order to implement these requirements- that the European Commission brings forward in 2010 legislative proposals considering reduced VAT-rates for services and products linked to renewable energy and energy efficiency. The proposals should also consider an increase of the maximum amount to 15 per cent of the European Regional Development Fund allocation to support energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Zervos concluded, ‘EREC now calls on the European Parliament as a whole and the Council to keep this integrated approach based both on demand and supply-side measures to fully reap the benefits of sustainable buildings in terms of security of energy supply, competitiveness of our industries and sustainability.’

EREC is the umbrella organisation of the European renewable energy industry, trade and research associations active in the field of photovoltaics, small hydropower, solar thermal, bioenergy, concentrated solar power, ocean & marine, geothermal, wind energy and biofuels.

Copyright © 2009 newnet

Tags: energy efficiency, green buildings, policy

This story was published on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 12:37 pm and is filed under Europe, Features, energy efficiency, policy. You can follow any responses to article entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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