Energy performance of buildings
EU urges quicker phase-out of gas boilers in bid to halt Russian energy imports
Government incentives for the installation of new fossil fuel boilers should be stopped “much more quickly” because of Russia's war in Ukraine, an EU official explained, saying the current 2027 end date is “far too late” and must be brought forward.
Incoming Czech EU presidency to focus on green buildings law
The EU’s building stock is responsible for about 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions. The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) wants to tackle the issue for real.
Isolate Putin. Insulate homes.
As part of the plan to break away from Russian fossil fuels, due to be tabled on Wednesday (18 May), Europe needs new action on energy efficiency, energy savings and the renovation wave writes Ciarán Cuffe.
To get rid of Russian fossil fuels, the EU needs to put energy savings first
The biggest potential for massive energy savings lies in the decarbonisation of the EU building stock. But to be effective, measures must be accompanied by a strong EU policy and regulatory framework, write Monica Frassoni and Harry Verhaar.
Experts urge rethink of energy metrics to fully decarbonise buildings
Primary energy consumption is a metric that is commonly used worldwide, including by the European Commission. Most experts agree though that the metric is not fit for purpose when it comes to measuring energy use in buildings.
How to go faster and further on building renovation to sever ties with Russia
Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted the EU to start getting serious about its energy policy and cut its reliance on Russia. To do that, building renovation must be a priority in the EU's REPowerEU Action Plan, due in May, writes Adrian Joyce.
How to deploy heat pumps at scale – and fast
The EU’s ‘RePowerEU’ plan aims to accelerate the rollout of heat pumps, including doubling the deployment rate in the next five years. Richard Lowes explains how it can be done.OpinionPromoted content
Crowdfunding For Sustainable Energy Transition of Football Stadiums and Sports Buildings In Europe
As part of our work on the energy transition and sustainable finance, EUROCROWD is proud to present its new publication showcasing a collection of significant case studies that offer a first look at how crowdfunding can be used to support the sustainable transition...OpinionPromoted content
Crowdfunding: GREENFOOT Survey
When it comes to carbon emissions, some polluters such as the car industry or agriculture get all the spotlight, for better or worse, while others, such as professional sports, fly beneath the radar. Benjamin Kirchler is a research associate at...
EU Commission lays out plan to become climate neutral by 2030
The European Commission unveiled plans on Tuesday (5 April) to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions by 60% before the end of the decade, saying the remainder will be compensated with carbon removals.
EU bets on local planning to boost district heating
District heating networks are set to receive a boost under draft EU legislation requiring all municipalities above 50,000 inhabitants to map out heating and cooling decarbonisation roadmaps.
Germany splits carbon tax for heating between landlords and tenants
Tenants living in well-insulated homes in Germany will have to shoulder the lion’s share of their CO2 costs for heating, while the burden in inefficient buildings will fall on landlords, reports Clean Energy Wire.
Time to get serious about energy efficiency
Rather than focus exclusively on alternative supplies to Russian energy imports, the EU can and should push for a radical improvement in energy efficiency with bolder policies on building renovation, argues Jessica Stromback.
High energy costs intensify debate over EU plan to decarbonise heating and transport
A European Union plan to charge fuel suppliers for the CO2 emitted by cars and heating buildings is emerging as the most contentious element in a raft of climate change policies the bloc's member states are negotiating this year.
The EU must regulate embodied carbon to deliver climate-proof buildings
The EU is neglecting emissions from building materials and construction, but the negotiations on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive can fill this gap, writes a group of leading Danish professional associations and NGOs.
The New European Bauhaus – bringing design to the green transition
As Europe looks to adapt to its green and digital future, there will be no one size fits all solution. Instead, projects like the New European Bauhaus should drive culture and design in a sustainable, accessible and fair way, writes Ciarán Cuffe.
Public and new buildings must lead the energy transition
Each EU country must ensure that at least 3% of the floor area of buildings owned by public bodies are renovated every year – including hospitals and schools, not just buildings owned and occupied by central government, write Jutta Paulus and Ciarán Cuffe.
Climate impact of new buildings still too high, says independent expert
New standards to reduce carbon emissions in the building sector will not be enough to meet the EU's 2030 and 2050 climate targets, according to a recent report by Building Performance Institute Europe (BPIE), an independent expertise centre. EURACTIV France reports.OpinionPromoted content
Groupama Arena promotes sustainability in Budapest
In recent years, we have seen several stadiums implement specific guidelines to make their stadiums more and more sustainable. In Europe, the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam is a pioneer when it comes to promoting sustainability and becoming carbon neutral.
EU’s new buildings law aims to renovate 15% least efficient homes
The European Commission has proposed the introduction of minimum energy performance standards for the 15% worst performing buildings in Europe, which would be rated “G” on the EU’s energy performance scale, whether they are residential or not.
EU confronted with lack of skilled labour to support building renovation wave
The EU’s push to improve energy efficiency in buildings and reduce the amount of fossil fuel they consume could create more than 160,000 jobs in the energy and heating sector by 2030, according to the European Commission.
Economist: Carbon trading is ‘a right first step’ to decarbonise buildings
Moving parts of the building sector under a separate carbon trading scheme, like the European Commission has proposed, “is a right first step” to address the complexity of the heating sector, which is spread across millions of buildings, diverging climates...
EU warned against watering down climate ambition in buildings law
There are growing concerns that the European Commission is considering to water down a key piece of legislation that would drive emissions reductions in buildings ahead of its publication this week.
Building decarbonisation
Reducing emissions from the built environment has become a top priority in the fight against climate change, as buildings currently gobble up 40% of Europe’s energy consumption – most of it fossil fuels.Supporter
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 893858.
