EP adopted an ambitious plan to increase the energy efficiency of buildings

Strasbourg - The European Parliament today approved a plan to increase the energy efficiency of buildings. It requires that new buildings have zero emissions by 2030, and public buildings by 2028. According to this plan, the use of fossil fuel boilers should completely stop by 2040, while subsidies for these boilers will be banned starting in 2025. Financial incentives will still be possible for hybrid heating systems that combine a boiler with, for example, a heat pump, according to the EP press release.

Buildings currently consume two-fifths of energy in the European Union and produce 36 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the European Commission. The goal of the revised directive is to achieve complete climate neutrality by 2050.

A total of 370 MEPs voted for the proposed revision of the energy performance of buildings directive, while 199 voted against and 46 abstained. For the directive to take effect, it must also be formally approved by the EU Council composed of member states. The directive was supported in the vote by six representatives from the Czech Republic in the EP, with 12 voting against and one MEP abstaining.

The vote followed a heated debate on Monday evening, during which arguments were made in favor of the adoption in the form of lower future energy bills and the creation of thousands of new jobs in construction, as well as arguments from opponents that this is "green madness" and that the goals set are unrealistic and unattainable.

"You will have the opportunity to support lower energy bills and the creation of thousands of jobs," convinced his colleagues the proponent, Irish Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe. According to him, the new tool proposes a way to renovate buildings where it is most needed. "We do not want to leave anyone behind, we want a better future for all," he added regarding the most vulnerable households, such as retirees. According to him, the plan should not lead to drastic increases in rents, but should ensure energy neutrality of buildings in the EU by 2050, for which member states must ensure adequate funding, including the use of EU funds.

The debate highlighted that the plan will boost construction, which is a major job creator, and will lead to a 60 percent saving in the energy demand of buildings, as up to three-quarters of the housing stock consists of poorly insulated buildings. Exceptions are possible for historical buildings. The compromise seeks to ensure increased energy efficiency and economic returns on these investments. However, it will be up to the member states to properly transpose the directive into their own laws, including tenant protections.

"One in ten Europeans is freezing, and for them, insulation (of buildings) is very important," emphasized Green MEP Sara Matthieu from Belgium. Renovation must be accessible to everyone, and the poorest must receive the most support. "We must stop the constant waste. The cheapest energy is the energy we do not consume," she said.

On the other hand, Croatian conservative Ladislav Ilčić (ECR) spoke of confusion of priorities and the imposition of nonsensical, unrealistic standards, such as the abolition of gas boilers. "You want to force all Europeans to renovate their homes with one directive. The new green religion only complicates people's lives," echoed Italian MEP Isabella Tovaglieri from the far-right League party.

Leftist MEP from Belgium Marc Botenga warned of the example of Flanders, where incentives for renovations are accompanied by exorbitant fines.

"You confuse ecology with demagoguery," criticized the supporters of the plan Thierry Mariani from the French far-right. The need for such detailed rules was also questioned by Angelika Niebler from the Bavarian conservative CSU.

"The housing situation will worsen, regulations will lead to drastically increased housing prices. You are hypocrites, you will benefit large producers of photovoltaic panels in China," claimed Jadwiga Wiśniewska from Poland (ECR).

Supporters of the new standard, on the other hand, argued cases where even in Portugal, in southern Europe, people die of cold. And energy-efficient buildings are necessary even in regions where air conditioning is needed. "We could prevent the energy crisis if we had better-insulated apartments," said Dutch socialist Mohammed Chahim.

Against populist attacks on the directive, Czech MEP Mikuláš Peksa (Pirates) emphasized that "baroque palaces and gothic cathedrals will receive exemptions" and that all member states receive enough money and leeway to help the most vulnerable. "The list of lies is long, but we can all win. Let’s not mess this up," he concluded.

Stanislav Polčák (Mayors and Independents) after the vote, in which he supported the directive, stated before journalists that he views the part about removing fossil fuel boilers by 2040 as the most controversial, but he believes that by then the entire directive will be reviewed.