MEPs give green light for warmer homes and a cooler planet
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Today, MEPs voted in favour of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which aims to lower the energy consumption of buildings through renovations and achieve a fully climate-neutral building stock by 2050. Trilogues will start in the coming weeks.
Ciarán Cuffe, Greens/EFA MEP and Rapporteur on the directive, comments:
“This is an important step towards lowering energy bills and tackling the root causes of energy poverty. Seven out of ten buildings in the EU are energy inefficient and the number of people at risk of energy poverty is on the rise. By tackling this problem head-on, this directive can decrease energy bills for vulnerable households, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and create high-quality jobs.
“Our sights are now set firmly on the talks with the Member States, and we are determined to protect the achievements we have made so far. Once this directive is approved, each Member State will draft a national building renovation plan that takes into account their specific needs. EU funds already exist to support these refurbishment efforts and increased funding should be available from the EU and national level. Now is the time to act to secure the future of our planet while improving the well-being of millions of Europeans.”
