The building sector is one of the most important areas to become climate neutral. The goal is to make homes more energy efficient in the fight against climate change. Now there is an interim status: negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU states have agreed on stricter requirements for the energy efficiency of buildings.
Specifically, the energy consumption of residential buildings is expected to fall on average by 16 percent by 2030 and by 20 to 22 percent by 2035. According to the information, there will be no individual obligation to renovate private houses, contrary to what some have feared.
The project was controversial because of possible high costs for homeowners. The owners’ association Haus & Grund had warned of a dramatic loss in value, especially in older buildings. The EU Commission, on the other hand, emphasized that renovations pay off in the long term, for example through lower energy consumption. According to earlier information, several million buildings in the EU are affected by the project.
According to the EU Commission, buildings are responsible for around 40 percent of energy consumption
The European Parliament’s responsible rapporteur, Ciarán Cuffe (Irish Green Party), said on Thursday evening that something remarkable had been achieved. Wasted energy is wasted money. “We have to help citizens save money and protect them from fluctuating energy prices,” said Cuffe. CDU social politician Dennis Radtke said after the agreement: “This is reassuring news for millions of owners and tenants in Germany. Grandma’s little house is safe.” His party colleague Markus Pieper said that there was little to no European binding left in the directive.
The decision is based on a proposal from the EU Commission. She presented this almost two years ago. Buildings are responsible for around 40 percent of energy consumption and around a third of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. If houses are better insulated or modern heating systems are used, this can reduce energy requirements. The planned change in the law is part of the “Fit for 55” climate package, which aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990.