Drivers of Sustainability in Buildings: The Role of EU Legislation

Drivers of Sustainability in Buildings: The Role of EU Legislation 40% Symposium London 28 November 2012 Sarah Lee, Interel European Affairs The Rol...
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Drivers of Sustainability in Buildings: The Role of EU Legislation 40% Symposium London 28 November 2012 Sarah Lee, Interel European Affairs

The Role of the EU • Environment is major focus of EU policy • Seeking global leadership on environmental stewardship • Economic strategy built around ‘green growth’ • Reduce dependence on resources from 3rd countries • Split views within the Member States – EU role in bringing everyone up to standard • EU powers strongest in field of environmental policy

Key Decision-Makers European Commission • Drafts and proposes legislation • New DG Climate Action created 2010, in addition to DG Environment and DG Energy

European Parliament • • •

Directly elected by the EU citizens Overall very “green” in outlook, led by left and liberals Centre right parties more skeptical since the crisis

European Council • Made up of the 27 Member States • Split views on green issues- progress blocked by group led by Poland

Main Policy Instruments • Regulations: Binding and directly applicable in all Member States • Directives: Set binding principles to be transposed into national law allowing for flexibility of implementation • Non-Legislative: Green Papers, White Papers and Action Plans- set out the objectives and priorities • Self-Regulatory initiatives: increasing used as alternative to regulation i.e. eco-labels

Foundations of EU Policy Climate and Energy Package- 20/20/20 commitments by 2020 • 20% emissions reductions • 20% energy savings • 20% increased in renewables use Emissions Reductions key to Europe’s global commitments but less popular in difficult times Energy Conservation seen as low-hanging fruit-cost effective ‘pain-free’ but politically difficult Resource Efficiency at the heart of EU Green growth strategy – decoupling growth from resource use

The Role of Buildings • Key role of buildings recognized by policy makers • Account for 40% energy use and 34% emissions • Potential currently largely untapped • Technology already exists to deliver major improvements • Politically sensitive as costs often fall on individuals or on the public purse • Owner-tenant issues

Reducing Emissions Greenhouse Gases • EU ETS is flagship of emissions policy • Other sectors addressed via ‘burden sharing’ legislation • Targets for emissions reductions in non ETS emissions, including from buildings (i.e. CRC in the UK)

Air Quality •

Major review of EU air quality legislation in 2013

Transport Emissions • • •

EU Action Plan on Urban Mobility 2009- under review 2012 Consultation on urban transport Includes support for green zones, infrastructure charging, integrated planning

Energy Conservation Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010) • Mandatory energy certificates for all buildings when built, sold or leased • Requirements for buildings and components in new and renovated • Requirement to consider use of renewables • Deadline for zero energy buildings and a roadmap for existing buildings to be zero energy • Requirement based on cost optimal methodology

Energy Labeling • Labeling for doors, window and other components

Energy Conservation Energy Efficiency Directive 2012 • Energy companies required to achieve 1.5% saving per year for final consumers • Renovation of 3% p.a. of central government buildings • Mandatory roadmaps to make the entire buildings sector more energy efficient by 2050 • Energy audits and management plans required for large companies, • National indicative targets by April 2013

Energy Roadmap 2050 • Tougher long-term targets for efficiency and renewables

Resource Efficiency Sustainable Construction • EU eco-label for buildings •

Communication on Sustainable Buildings due 2013



Review of building codes to include sustainability



Green Public Procurement criteria

Land Use • Planning, brown field vs. green field, soil protection Environmental Impact Assessment CR Reporting Requirements Waste Framework

Conclusions • EU green agenda strong despite the crisis • Process is slow and incremental but will drive change • Robust requirements for new buildings, next step will be existing buildings – bigger challenge • Building stock will need major upgrades to meet policy objectives • Trend towards further measurement and certification of performance – EU also looking at this

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