Energy performance of buildings
‘Primary’ energy efficiency in focus as EU talks near finishing line
Public debate on energy efficiency has tended to focus on savings made by the end-user – whether in buildings or in consumer products like TV sets, lightbulbs, and vacuum cleaners, which have all grabbed headlines.
Why the Paris Agreement requires an ambitious Energy Efficiency Directive
An energy efficiency target of around 35%, combined with a parallel increase in ambition for renewable energies, would allow the EU to halve its emissions by 2030, write Fiona Hall and Brook Riley.
Theresa May unveils plan to halve building energy use by 2030
UK Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to halve energy use from new buildings by 2030, as part of a speech that championed the role science and technology will play in delivering her government's industrial strategy. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
Deadlocked energy savings talks restart as Bulgarians eye final deal
Bulgaria’s EU presidency wants the European Parliament to put a compromise on the table during fresh talks on energy efficiency tonight (16 May) in order to unlock negotiations and close the file before July. But MEPs and member states still seem far apart on crucial aspects of energy savings.
Energy efficiency is good for climate, consumers and industry – so why undermine it?
The EU Council of Ministers wants to slow down annual obligations on energy savings by quietly introducing a whole new range of “flexibilities” after 2020, some of which are well-hidden in an Annex of the proposed Energy Efficiency Directive, writes Benedek Jávor.
Breaking down the barriers to renewable heating in the UK
Europe is the global leader in renewable heat, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. Being bottom of the class, the UK is a case in point, writes Marcus Franck.
Demand for cooling could outstrip heating as Earth warms
A burgeoning middle class and a warming world will result in energy demand for cooling overtaking that for heating by the middle of the century, researchers have predicted. EURACTIV's partner The Guardian reports.
Buildings renovation: The low hanging fruit for emissions savings
With real estate responsible for over a third of the EU’s CO2 emissions, legislating to improve energy savings in the building stock is a low hanging fruit that our governments would be mad not to pick, argues Eliot Whittington.
Energy-efficient buildings: Why MEPs should ban the staged renovation approach
The staged renovation approach hinders the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive’s target of making buildings highly energy efficient and decarbonised by 2050, as well as Europe’s objective to alleviate energy poverty, warns Dr Yamina Saheb.
‘Invisible’ cement polluters urged to double climate efforts
European producers were singled out among the worst performers in a new environmental ranking of the world’s largest publicly-listed cement companies, published on Monday (9 April).
Breaking the glass ceiling of EU climate policy
The request from EU leaders to see an update of the European Commission's 2050 low-carbon roadmap mandates a higher level of ambition from Europe on meeting climate goals also in 2030, writes Brook Riley.
IEA analyst: A heating and cooling target ‘could make a big difference’
As talks on the EU’s renewable energy rules resume, one of the main talking points is how to decarbonise the heating sector, and deploy technologies like heat pumps and district heating. The International Energy Agency’s Ute Collier told EURACTIV in an interview that the task is complex and difficult.
No ‘one size fits all’ solution to decarbonise heating and cooling
Heating and cooling our homes, businesses and industrial processes makes up half of the EU’s energy demand. Yet, decarbonising the sector is proving a daunting task for which multiple solutions will be needed, industry experts say.
‘Efficiency First’ will deliver – let’s start with renovating our buildings
There is a simple truth about EU climate policy: If it does not put energy efficiency first, it will not meet its objectives cost-effectively. And if it does not try to do that, it may not meet them at all, writes Adrian Joyce.
An inefficient truth
It’s time for the G20 to give energy efficiency the respect it deserves, writes Rachel Kyte.
Don’t be fooled: ‘Efficiency First’ is a necessary discipline
The idea of "Efficiency First" is on the line in ongoing EU talks. Member states must realise that this is no mere slogan but a real necessity, write Jan Rosenow, Richard Cowart and Edith Bayer.
Biomass policy under the spotlight as EU talks kick off
The European Union’s proposed new biomass policy has enough built-in safeguards to ensure it doesn’t lead to additional carbon emissions, an EU official told a EURACTIV event last week, amid warnings that the policy risks making global warming worse by increasing deforestation.
A consumer-driven energy transition?
Supporting small-scale renewable installations is a no-brainer for the energy transition. But the battle for small installations is far from over as the European Parliament must formally adopt its position this week, writes Aurelie Beauvais.
Regional cooperation and integrated energy markets at risk
A much more interconnected European energy market, ensuring regional cooperation and cutting out waste, makes so much sense for consumers, for security of supply and for decarbonisation. Philip Baker and Christos Kolokathis urge MEPs and member states to make it happen.
Rethinking urban energy: How Europe is leading the way
To achieve ambitious climate goals in line with the Paris Agreement, cities will need to implement major changes to their energy systems by 2030. The good news is that the transformation in the energy sector is making such ambitious programmes much more feasible and European cities are in the forefront, writes Eric Woods.
EU finance advisors back ‘less risky’ energy efficiency loans
A high level group of financial experts has advised European regulators to encourage more favourable treatment for energy saving loans and mortgages, in a move that could unlock billions in lending for green building renovation programmes across Europe.
Energy poverty chairman: Extreme summer heat could provide wake-up call
Two out of three EU countries do not measure energy poverty but a new observatory launched on Monday (29 January) should provide member states with the information they need to address a problem that could affect more than 100 million people in Europe, says the chair of the EU's Energy Poverty Observatory.
Fuel poverty and affordable housing: Connecting the dots
There seems to be rising momentum to connect the dots between energy efficiency, fuel poverty and the EU's broader 2030 objectives, writes Sorcha Edwards.