On 12th April, the EU adopted its revision of the existing Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (the revision is recast EPBD). The Q&A is here.
The recast EPBD document will replace the existing 2010 amended EPBD document.
Recast EPBD stipulates Member States must adopt their own national trajectory to reduce the average primary energy use of residential buildings, by 16% by 2030 and 20-22% by 2035.
For non-residential buildings, the target is to renovate the 16% worst-performing buildings by 2030 and the 26% worst-performing buildings by 2033.
Member States will be able to exempt certain categories of residential and non-residential buildings from these obligations, including historical buildings or holiday homes.
One-stop shops for advice on building renovation are to be established.
Recast EPBD will make ‘zero-emissions’ the standard for new buildings. All new residential and non-residential buildings must have zero on-site emissions from fossil fuels, as of 1 January 2028 for publicly-owned buildings and as of 1 January 2030 for all other new buildings, with a possibility for specific exemptions.
New provisions will require the progressive phasing-out of fossil fuels from heating in buildings. Member States will have to ensure that new buildings are ‘solar ready‘. Subsidies for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels will not be allowed as of 1 January 2025.
The revisions also include provisions on pre-cabling, recharging points for electric vehicles and bicycle parking spaces.
The document is not yet published. When it is published, it will be added to client EHS Legislation Registers & Checklists –
(1) UK – in the reference EU law look up list (ENV)
(2) EU – in the ENV Energy Register
Note: Member States will need to bring in local law.
Note: EU EPBD is not retained in Northern Ireland; the recast revision document will not apply there.