Parltrack

Activites

• 2010/06/18 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Directive 2010/31
  • OJ L 153 18.06.2010, p. 0013
• 2010/05/19 Final act signed
• 2010/05/19 End of procedure in Parliament
• 2010/05/18 Text adopted by Parliament, 2nd reading
  • T7-0159/2010 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast). It approved the Council's position. A draft Commission statement on financing for energy efficiency in buildings is annexed to the resolution. In this statement, the Commission underlines the crucial role that financing instruments play for a successful transformation of the European building sector into an energy-efficient and low carbon one. The Commission: will continue to encourage Member States to use extensively the available funds under the European Regional Development Fund and support Member States in making better use of all available funds and funding that can act as a leverage for stimulating investments in energy efficiency; will explore the possibility of further developing all existing initiatives, such as the Smart Cities initiative (SET-Plan) or the use of the Intelligent Energy - Europe II budget, e.g. for the purpose of knowledge sharing and technical assistance on the establishment of national revolving funds; will prepare an overview and analysis of financing mechanisms currently in place in Member States and take account of the findings to endeavour to disseminate best practice across the EU; will reflect on the possible future development of financial incentives (inter alia with regard to the Union instruments referred to for this purpose in Article 10(5)(a)) and their optimal use for investments in improved energy efficiency of buildings.

  • Results of vote in Parliament
• 2010/05/17 Debate in Parliament
• 2010/04/28 Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading
  • A7-0124/2010
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana S&D
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana PSE
• 2010/04/19 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 2nd reading
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana S&D
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana PSE
• 2010/04/15 Council statement on its position
  • 02461/2010
• 2010/04/15 Commission communication on Council's position
  • COM(2010)0165 summary

    The text of the negotiated Council Position is, in substance, in line with the Commission's proposal and therefore can be supported. The negotiated Council Position is the result of inter-institutional negotiations in two stage process. The first stage covered the technical substance of the proposal and the second the adaptation of the proposal to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) as regards its legal basis and comitology provisions. The main subjects of negotiation on which an agreement was reached are as follows: Change of legal basis (preamble): due to the entry into force of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the co-legislators agreed to change the legal basis to Article 194 (2) TFEU. It is added that the Directive sets minimum requirements that do not prevent Member States from maintaining or introducing more stringent measures. The Commission agrees with these changes, which do not modify the applicable decision-making procedure. Cost-optimal minimum energy performance requirements and comparative methodology framework: the Commission will develop a comparative methodology for calculating energy performance cost-optimal levels for buildings. Member States will justify any significant gap and present a plan outlining appropriate steps forward. Existing buildings: this provision was reinforced by requesting that all existing buildings undergoing major renovation meet energy performance requirements and that energy performance requirements are also set out for building elements. Technical building systems: a new provision requires the setting of energy performance requirements for the technical building systems (e.g. heating, hot water, and air conditioning systems). Nearly zero energy buildings: a consensus emerged on the definition of 'nearly zero energy buildings' and the need for developing national plans to increase their number. Member States shall ensure that by 31/12/2018 new buildings occupied and owned by a public authority and by 31/12/2020 other new buildings are 'nearly zero energy buildings'. Financial incentives and market barriers: this new article was included to highlight the importance of appropriate financing. Member States shall draw up a list of existing and proposed measures and the Commission shall present an analysis of the funds available. A Commission's statement on financing for energy efficiency in buildings indicates its role in supporting the use of financing instruments to achieve an energy-efficient and low carbon European building sector. Energy performance certificates: this provision was reinforced by improving the content of the certificates, by reinforcing the obligation to display then certificate in public buildings and by requiring that the performance indicator set on the certificate is indicated in housing advertisements. Inspection of heating and air-conditioning systems and Independent experts and control systems: greater flexibility to Member States regarding the inspection of air-conditioning systems was coupled with a requirement to ensure independent control systems for certificates and reports on inspections of heating and air conditioning systems. Provisions on delegated and implementing acts: the Directive delegates powers on the Commission to adopt the comparative methodology framework of Article 5 (until 30 June 2011) and to adapt to technical progress (points 3 and 4 of Annex I) for a period of 5 years -automatically renewed- following the entry into force of the Directive. The Parliament and the Council may revoke the delegation of powers at any moment and object to the delegated act within the 2 months following the notification, with the possibility of asking for an extension of 2 additional months. A Commission statement concerning the notification of delegated acts during the recess period of the institutions has been included at the request of the Parliament, together with a joint statement of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission declaring that the provisions of this Directive will not constitute a precedent on their positions on delegated acts. The Commission is also requested to adopt an implementing act to establish a voluntary common certification scheme for energy performance of non-residential buildings. Review clause: the review clause was made more specific by setting a date to evaluate the Directive (1 January 2017). Transposition: the adoption of transposition measures by the Member States was changed to 'two years after the entry into force' of the Directive. The dates of application of national provisions transposing most of Directive's provisions are now 'two years and six months' and 'three years' after the entry into force of the Directive. Additional time (until 31/12/2015) was granted for the application of Article 11(1) and (2) to single rented units.

  • DG Energy, OETTINGER Günther
• 2010/04/14 Council position
  • 05386/3/2010 summary

    In its first reading position, the Council has accepted 6 of the European Parliament's amendments in full and 70 in part or in spirit. It has not been able to accept 21 amendments. In view of the tight timetable required in order to reach early agreement on this proposal as called for by the European Council, the Council aimed from the start at identifying elements that would be acceptable to both Parliament and Council, rather than drawing up a complete agreed Council position before entering into negotiations with Parliament. In order to make rapid progress while taking into account the date of entry into force of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, it was agreed to proceed in two steps: a)      reach agreement on the substance of the Directive. Following consultations with the European Parliament this first step was concluded in November 2009. This agreement was confirmed by Coreper on 19 November 2009 and on the level of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, by means of a letter of its Chairman, dated 30 November 2009; b)     reach agreement on the modifications resulting for the entry into force of the TFEU, concerning notably the adaptation of the legal basis and the comitology provisions. Following consultations with the EP this second step was concluded in March 2010. The Council position incorporates the two agreements recalled above. Its main elements are: Provisions on financial instruments: a new Article entitled "Financial incentives and market barriers" and new recitals were introduced in order to place much more emphasis on the funding side of the energy efficiency of buildings. Nearly zero energy buildings: as was done for other EU legislation in the climate/energy area, a "2020 target" was inserted which prescribes that all new buildings must be nearly zero energy buildings by 31 December 2020, that an intermediate target must be set for 2015, and that buildings occupied and owned by public authorities have to be nearly zero energy buildings after 31 December 2018, in line with the leading role that the public sector should play in this field. Furthermore, Member States should develop policies for the transformation of existing buildings into nearly zero energy buildings. The Council could not accept to set binding targets for existing buildings. Building elements: in the spirit of Parliament's amendments the scope of the proposal was expanded to include building elements. Energy performance certificates (issuing and display): as suggested by the European Parliament, the Council agreed to lower the threshold for the issuing of certificates for public buildings, to lower the threshold for the display of certificates in public buildings, and agreed to re-insert what it had deleted earlier, namely the requirement to display the energy performance indicator in advertisements. Comparative methodology framework: the Council could not accept the European Parliament's request for a common methodology framework. On the other hand, it did accept the addition of a new Annex III proposed by Parliament which describes the content of the comparative methodology framework. Furthermore, Council agreed to introduce a benchmarking system whereby Member States must justify significant differences between cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements and minimum energy performance requirements in force. Review: the Council accepted the European Parliament's request for a review by the Commission; a compromise date of 1 January 2017 was agreed upon as deadline for this review. Information: the Council proposed, in order to address several requests from the European Parliament related to the provision of information, to insert a new Article 20 in order to group together all information provisions.

• 2010/04/13 Committee draft report
  • PE440.179
• #2983
• 2009/12/07 Council Meeting
• #2949
• 2009/06/11 Council Meeting
• 2009/05/13 Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report
  • CES0869/2009
• 2009/04/23 Text adopted by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T6-0278/2009 summary

    The European Parliament adopted by 549 votes to 51, with 26 abstentions, a legislative resolution amending, under the first reading of the codecision procedure, the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast). The main amendments were as follows: Subject matter: the subject matter of the Directive should include a reference to the cost-optimal calculation methodology, as well as to minimum performance requirements for building components and technical building systems, and to their application in new and existing buildings. Targets for net zero energy buildings are an important element of the recast. Education, training and mutual recognition requirements between Member States for certifiers of the energy performance of buildings and for inspectors of heating and air-conditioning systems should be included. Definitions: Parliament inserted definitions for "new building", "parts of a building" "net zero energy building" "energy from renewable sources" "building component", "energy poverty" and "lighting design". It amended the definition for "major renovation." Adoption of methodology: rather than Member States, the text states that the Commission shall, after consulting the relevant stakeholders and in particular representatives from local, regional and national authorities, establish by 31 March 2010 a common methodology of calculation of the energy performance of buildings, in accordance with the general framework set out in Annex I. The energy performance of buildings shall be expressed in a transparent manner and shall include an indicator for primary energy demand. Setting minimum energy performance requirements: as from 30 June 2012 Member States shall only provide incentives for the construction or major renovation of buildings or parts thereof, including building components, the results of which comply at least with minimum energy performance requirements achieving the results of the calculation referred to in the text. Member States shall review their minimum energy performance requirements and ensure that these requirements achieve at least the results of the calculation referred to in the text no later than 30 June 2015. Member States shall provide subsidies and technical advice for historic buildings or centres to undertake specific programmes for adaptation to energy efficiency. Systems for the production of energy and insulation measures located in historic centres shall be subject to visual impact assessments. Calculation of cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements: a new Annex in inserted listing the principles for a common methodology on calculating cost-optimal levels. This common methodology may refer to relevant European standards and shall, inter alia, reflect the different climatic conditions in different Member States and the likely change in these conditions over the lifetime of the building concerned, and and set out common assumptions or calculation methods for energy costs. Existing buildings: Parliament added that Member States shall encourage, in relation to buildings undergoing major renovation, the following high-efficiency alternative systems being considered and taken into account: (a) decentralised energy supply systems based on energy from renewable sources; (b) cogeneration; (c) district or block heating or cooling, if available, particularly that based entirely or partially on energy from renewable sources; (d) heat pumps; (da)  ICT equipment for monitoring and control purposes . Technical building systems and building components: minimum energy performance requirements must be set in respect of building components and of technical building systems which are installed and brought into operation in buildings and which are not covered by Directive 2009/.../EC on eco-design requirements. Smart meters must be installed in all new buildings and all buildings undergoing a major renovation. Whenever a meter is replaced, Member States shall encourage the installation of active control systems such as automation, control and monitoring systems, where appropriate. Net zero energy buildings: this article replaces the article entitled "Buildings of which both carbon dioxide emissions and primary energy consumption are low or equal to zero." Member States shall draw up national plans for increasing the number of net zero energy buildings. Parliament states that Members States shall ensure that all new buildings are at least net zero energy buildings by 31 December 2016 at the latest. They shall set targets for the minimum percentage of buildings which shall be, by 2015 and by 2020 respectively, net zero energy buildings, measured as a percentage of the total number of buildings and as a percentage in relation to the total useful floor area. Within 2 months of the communication of a national plan by a Member State, the Commission, taking full account of the subsidiary principle, may reject that plan, or any aspect thereof, on the basis that it does not respect all of the requirements of this Article. In this case, the Member State concerned shall propose amendments. The Commission shall establish a detailed common definition of net zero energy buildings by 31 December 2010 at the latest. Financial Incentives and Market Barriers: a new clause states that Member States shall, by 30 June 2011, draw up national action plans, including proposed measures, for meeting the requirements laid down in the Directive through reducing existing legal and market barriers and developing existing and new financial and fiscal instruments to increase the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings. Member States must compare their financial and fiscal instruments with the instruments listed in a new Annex IIIb and, without prejudice to national legislation, implement at least two measures from that Annex. The Commission shall, by 30 June 2010 at the latest, following an impact assessment, bring forward appropriate legislative proposals to strengthen existing and propose additional Community financial instruments to support the implementation of the Directive. These proposals shall consider certain specified measures, including in the context of the revision of the ERDF Regulation for the next programming period, a significant increase of the maximum amount of the European Regional Development Fund allocation that may be used to support energy efficiency including district heating and cooling and renewable energy investments in housing and an extension of the eligibility of those projects; and the establishment of an Energy Efficiency Fund, based on contributions from the Community budget, the European Investment Bank and Member States to act as a leverage for increasing private and public investments for projects increasing energy efficiency of buildings, including renewable energy in buildings or building components, related to energy efficiency by 2020. Energy performance certificate: energy performance certificate may for non-residential buildings, if appropriate, also include the actual annual energy that is consumed. When a building is sold or let in advance of construction, the seller shall provide an accurate written assessment of its future energy performance. Public authorities, taking into account the leading role which they should play in the field of energy performance of buildings, shall implement the recommendations included in the energy performance certificate issued for buildings occupied by them. The Commission shall adopt, by 30 June 2010, guidelines specifying minimum standards for the content, language and presentation of energy performance certificates. Each Member State shall recognise certificates issued in another Member State in accordance with these guidelines and shall not restrict the freedom to provide financial services for reasons relating to the certificate issued in that Member State. In addition, Parliament states that by 2011, on the basis of information received from Member States and in consultation with the relevant sectors, a voluntary common European Union certification for the energy performance of non-residential buildings shall be developed through the Committee procedure. By 2012, Member States shall introduce the EU voluntary certification system in their countries to function alongside the national certification scheme. A building owner may at any time request an accredited expert to produce, re-calculate and update an energy performance certificate, irrespective of whether the building is being constructed, refurbished, rented out or sold. Parliament added some clauses to the provisions on inspection of air-conditioning systems, independent experts, and training. Lastly, Parliament states that by 2010, the Commission shall establish a website, which shall contain certain information including the latest version of every Energy Efficiency Action Plan.

  • Results of vote in Parliament
• 2009/04/23 Commission response to text adopted in plenary
  • SP(2009)3507
  • DG Energy, OETTINGER Günther
• 2009/04/21 Committee of the Regions: opinion
  • CDR0008/2009
• 2009/04/21 Debate in Parliament
• 2009/04/06 Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
  • A6-0254/2009
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana S&D
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana PSE
  • JURI
• 2009/03/31 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana S&D
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana PSE
  • JURI
• 2009/02/03 Committee draft report
  • PE418.275
• 2009/01/15 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana S&D
  • ITRE ITRE/7/02680 ŢICĂU Silvia-Adriana PSE
  • JURI
• 2008/11/17 EP officialisation
• 2008/11/13 Legislative proposal
  • COM(2008)0780 summary

    PURPOSE: to recast Directive 2002/91/EC to improve the energy performance of buildings. PROPOSED ACT: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council. BACKGROUND: the energy consumption of buildings varies enormously. Whilst new buildings may need less than 3 to 5 litres of heating oil or equivalent per square meter floor area and year, the existing buildings stock consumes, on average, about 25 litres per square meter, some buildings even up to 60 litres. Available construction products and installation technologies can drastically improve the building's energy performance - and so reduce its energy consumption - and create net benefits: the annual energy cost savings are exceeding the annual capital costs for the investments. The best moment for energy improvements is when buildings are constructed or renovated. The existing Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC) is a key element to improve buildings' energy performance. Some Member States have made promising progress in recent years, but the majority still have an enormous untapped potential for improvements. To this end, the Commission sees further room for strengthening the effectiveness and the impact of this Directive. CONTENT: in the proposal the objectives and main principles of the current EPBD are retained and the role of Member States in setting up the concrete requirements is also the same as in the current EPBD. The administrative burdens are kept to a minimum, but developed in order to achieve maximum effect. It is crucial that the current EPBD be properly implemented and on time. This proposal should not be an excuse to delay implementation of the current Directive. The proposal clarifies, strengthens and extends the scope of the current EPBD's provisions by; introducing clarification of the wording of certain provisions; extending the scope of the provision requiring Member States to set up minimum energy performance requirements when a major renovation is to be carried out; reinforcing the provisions on energy performance certificates, inspections of heating and air-conditioning systems, energy performance requirements, information, and independent experts; providing Member States and interested parties with a benchmarking calculation instrument, which allows the nationally/regionally determined minimum energy performance requirements ambition to cost-optimal levels to be compared; stimulating Member States to develop frameworks for higher market uptake of low or zero energy and carbon buildings; encouraging a more active involvement of the public sector to provide a leading example. The Commission will continue to help Member States implementing this Directive, like with the information service "Buildings Platform". In 2009, the Commission will launch a major "Build-up" initiative to increase the awareness of the whole chain from authorities, to construction industry and citizens on the saving opportunities. New financing schemes are introduced to overcome investment barriers. According to the Commission, the macroeconomic estimated impacts are also significant: 5-6% less energy will be used in EU in 2020 (which equals the total current consumption of Belgium and Romania) and about 5% less CO2 emissions will be emitted in the whole EU in 2020.

  • SEC(2008)2864
  • SEC(2008)2865
  • DG Energy, OETTINGER Günther

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(2008)0780
• Document attached to the procedure: SEC(2008)2864
• Document attached to the procedure: SEC(2008)2865
• Committee draft report: PE418.275
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A6-0254/2009
• Committee of the Regions: opinion: CDR0008/2009
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T6-0278/2009
• Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
• Commission response to text adopted in plenary: SP(2009)3507
• Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report: CES0869/2009
• Committee draft report: PE440.179
• Council position published: 05386/3/2010
• Council statement on its position: 02461/2010
• Commission communication on Council's position: COM(2010)0165
• Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A7-0124/2010
• Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading: T7-0159/2010
• Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
• : Directive 2010/31
• : OJ L 153 18.06.2010, p. 0013

Votes

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 43

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 40/2

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 99

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 102/1

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 102/2

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 102/3

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 102/4

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 95=110=120/1

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 95=110=120/2

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 103

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - Amendment 104/2

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - amended proposal

Report: ŢICĂU A6-0254/2009 - legislative resolution

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)