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Progress on rollout of EU Energy Performance of Building Directive - a snapshot report

A review of how the Energy Performance Building Directive (EBPD) has been implemented across Europe, since it came into force on 4 January 2003, was today published by EnR, the European Energy Network.

Commenting on the news, Chief Executive of property-careers.com, Stephen Callaghan said: "In England and Wales, the Home Information Pack is the vehicle for delivering the Directive and its implementation has been very smooth."

Potentially the directive could save 45 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2010. However, a survey of 21 national energy agencies has revealed implementation of all aspects of EPBD to be disappointingly slow. Whilst the majority of member states have met articles 3, 5 and 6; only 20 per cent have Energy Performance Certificates fully operational and even then only for new build homes.

"Despite this slow progress, EnR continues to strongly support the EPBD and is proposing a range of practical and deliverable policy options aimed at improving its implementation to both the EU and member states." Said Simon Green, EnR President.

Based on these first hand experiences, EnR is urging Member States to:

• Set minimum performance requirement for building components which should be fulfilled when these components are changed or renovated and signal that these requirements will be tightened over time.

• Ensure the takeoff of building energy performance certificates using information and awareness campaigns to building owners and training campaigns targeted at all market agents in the building sector

• Establish effective enforcement systems to ensure that the building regulations on new build and major refurbishment of existing buildings are actually met.

Founded in 1991, EnR is a voluntary network of 23 European energy agencies involved in energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate change abatement. Their responsibilities vary from the planning, management and review of national research, development, demonstration and dissemination of programmes.

The 160 million buildings in the EU use over 40 per cent of Europe's energy and create over 40 per cent of its carbon dioxide emissions, and that proportion is increasing. On 4 January 2003 the Energy Performance Building Directive came into force and Member States had until January 2006 to transpose the Directive. Its aim is to reduce the emissions of all buildings, both domestic and non-domestic. Potentially the directive could save 45 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2010 by introducing:

1. Agreed measurements of relative energy performance.
2. Regular inspections and re-evaluations.
3. Higher standards for upgrading larger buildings.
4. Improved standards for new buildings.

EPBD survey respondents:

• Austria - Austrian Energy Agency www.energyagency.at
• Bulgaria - Bulgarian Energy Efficiency Agency www.seea.government.bg
• Croatia - EIHP www.eihp.hr
• Czech Republic - CEA www.ceacr.cz
• Denmark - Danish Energy Authority www.ens.dk
• Finland - Motiva Oy www.motiva.fi
• France - ADEME www.ademe.fr
• Germany - PtJ www.fz-juelich.de/ptj
• Greece - CRES www.cres.gr
• Republic of Ireland - Sustainable Energy Ireland www.sei.ie
• Italy - ENEA www.enea.it
• Netherlands - SenterNovem www.senternovem.nl/English/
• Norway - Enova www.enova.no
• Poland - KAPE www.kape.gov.pl
• Portugal - ADENE www.adene.pt
• Romania - ARCE www.arceonline.ro
• Slovakia - SEA www.sea.gov.sk
• Slovenia - AURE www.aure.si
• Spain - IDAE www.idae.es
• Sweden - STEM www.energimyndigheten.se
• UK - Energy Saving Trust www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

For full details of the press release and further information about energy efficiency of homes, visit the Energy Savings Trust. www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

January 2008