With the ambition to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the European Commission presented on 11 December 2019 the European Green Deal. This European Commission communication is a package of measures which reset the Commission’s commitment to tackling climate and environmental-related challenges, transforming the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. It aims to protect, conserve and enhance the EU’s natural capital, and protect the health and well-being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts.
Among the proposed measures, the European Grean Deal includes the following ambitions in relation to the buildings sector:
- engaging in a ‘renovation wave’ of private and public buildings;
- enforcing the legislation related to the energy performance of buildings;
- launching work on the possibility of including emissions from buildings in the European Emissions Trading;
- reviewing the Construction Products Regulation;
- ensuring that the design of new and renovated buildings is in line with the needs of the circular economy, and lead to increased digitalisation and climate-proofing of the building stock;
- working with stakeholders on a new initiative on renovation in 2020 through an open platform and innovative financing schemes under InvestEU, targeting housing associations or energy service companies;
- lifting national regulatory barriers that inhibit energy efficiency investments in rented and multi-ownership buildings;
- paying particular attention to the renovation of social housing, schools and hospitals.
More information is available at https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en