Opinion Factsheet 

Underline the LRA position when it comes to the energy performance of buildings;
Provide a development from the opinion on the Renovation wave;
Highlight the main challenges when it comes to regulating energy performance of buildings.

THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS



- highlights that the revision of the EPBD is a cornerstone of the Fit for 55 package and of paramount importance for the implementation of the Renovation Wave Strategy;

- welcomes the reference to the circularity approach in the proposal and stresses that all renovations being contracted by public authorities should follow, as far as possible, the criteria of Green and Circular Public Procurement;

- considers that the size of the challenges ahead in terms of climate transition and energy security require a more ambitious approach to energy transition as clearly outlined in the REPowerEU Plan. This should include technical assistance, training and upskilling of workers and strengthening capabilities of LRAs; considers that the concept of "energy sufficiency" should be central in the revised directive and embedded in the renovation passport;

- urges the establishment of a comprehensive policy on energy poverty, in order to avoid the Renovation Wave worsening the issues of energy poverty across the EU;

- considers that the use of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), if not adequately ambitious, could result in a lock-in effect, reducing the level of ambition in the Renovation Wave; therefore, Member States should ensure buildings renovated during the next decades are renovated to the zero or nearly-zero emission standard calculated over the lifecycle of buildings;

- stresses that the energy efficiency of the building stock cannot be achieved by focusing on single buildings only and urban and territorial planning must support the individual interventions through a systematic district approach to the energy efficiency of cities;

- invites all levels of government to preserve the architectural and symbolic value of historic buildings and to find sustainable solutions so that they lead by example; calls on the Commission and Member States to provide guidance on improving the energy efficiency of historic buildings, also leveraging the work of the European Bauhaus Initiative, and create dedicated funding schemes for this purpose.