The European Parliament has approved its position on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), negotiated by lead rapporteur Ciarán Cuffe MEP. The positive vote in Strasbourg marks a significant step towards lower energy bills for households and businesses, tackling the root causes of energy poverty, and meeting Europe’s climate neutrality goals. It triggers the final stage of talks between representatives of the EU governments, the European Commission, and the European Parliament who will negotiate a final law to be implemented by the EU Member States. These negotiations or ‘trilogues’ are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

In reaction to the result, MEP Cuffe said: “The European Parliament has spoken today: we will not stand by while people are living in cold, draughty homes and paying through the nose for energy. Instead, we have delivered a solution that will provide lower energy bills, affordable renovations, and protection for people living in energy poverty. It also has the potential to significantly reduce Europe’s CO2 emissions, and strikes a blow to Europe’s dependence on fossil gas imports. It is a win for people and the planet. Now, our sights are set firmly on the upcoming talks with the Member States. We, the Parliament negotiators, are determined to protect the achievements we have made so far. We want to deliver the ambition, the social protections, and the finance needed to provide energy efficient homes for all. We will fight tooth and nail to secure these benefits for European citizens.”

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) Recast charts a course for the EU to achieve a climate neutral building stock by 2050. Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of Europe’s energy consumption and 36% of its CO2 emissions. Soaring energy prices have put the focus on energy efficiency and saving measures and the potential of buildings to utilise local renewables to continuously reduce energy bills, increase the resilience and competitiveness of the energy system and reduce energy import dependency.To achieve its aims, the Directive should introduce minimum energy performance standards to gradually improve Europe’s building stock. These standards are supported by social protections for vulnerable groups such as renters and people living in energy poverty; funding and financial incentives to enable affordable renovations; and measures to boost the rollout of renewable energies in home heating and cooling. Several derogations and exemptions can be applied by the Member States to a limited proportion of each country’s building stock, providing the flexibility needed to adapt the law to particular national conditions.