The European Council and European Parliament have reached provisional agreement on a proposal to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) as part of the Fit for 55 package. The agreement, announced on 7th December 2023, aims to accelerate the renovation and decarbonisation of the building stock.
The revised directive emphasises the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and phasing out fossil fuel boilers, and improving overall energy efficiency in new as well as existing buildings.
Member states will be required to implement policies and measures to ensure that all new buildings are zero-emission buildings by 2030 and that all existing buildings are zero-emission buildings by 2050. To facilitate this, member states will need to implement financial incentives and support programmes.
The Fit for 55 package, of which the revised EPBD is a crucial component, plays a pivotal role in the EU’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The new directive is also expected to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs in the renewable energy and construction sectors and reduce energy poverty.
The provisional agreement now needs to be formally adopted. After this, the attention will turn to the efforts of member states to implement the ambitious goals set by the revised EPDB. To support the member states, the Concerted Action EPBD will host a plenary meeting in Brussels in April dedicated to the revised EPBD, where member state experts will have an opportunity to discuss the directive and ask questions of the Commission.
Further information:
European Council press release including link to the provisional text