Energy efficiency of buildings review in 2016

Abstract

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the European Union’s main legislative instrument aiming to promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within Community. It was inspired by the Kyoto Protocol which commits the EU and all its parties by setting binding emission reduction. The first version of the EPBD (Directive 2002 /91/EC), was approved on 16 December 2012 and entered into force on 4 January 2003. The Directive required the MS strengthen the building regulations and introduce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Directive 2002/91/EC was later on replaced by the so-called “EPBD recast”, which was approved on 19 May 2010. This version of the EPBD broadened its focus on nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB), cost optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements as well as improved policies. 2016 is an important year for energy efficiency legislation at EU level, with the upcoming revisions of the EPBD and Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). On 30 November 2016 published its “Clean Energy for All Europeans“ package, also known as the “Winter Package”. With an appropriate framework, buildings could play a central role in transforming the EU energy system. Buildings are entering a transition phase, transforming into highly efficient micro energy-hubs consuming, producing, storing and supplying energy, making the system more flexible and efficient enabling a rapid uptake of renewable energy and electric vehicles. The Paris Agreement provides a common framework within which individual countries are invited to define nationally determined contributions (NDCs) taking account the overall goal of the UN Framework Convention on Climate change.