On 16 January, the European Parliament's Industry Committee (ITRE) on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) took a vote, the outcome of which we report. With 38 in favour, 20 against, and 6 abstentions, the Commission approved the agreement reached in trialogue on the EPBD, a text that will go to plenary in the coming weeks.
MEP Isabella Tovaglieri noted: "The new text largely revises the energy efficiency targets, leaving more margin to the Member States. In fact, it will be up to national governments to outline a trajectory of renovation and reduction of emissions, from now until 2050, with intermediate targets to be reached, without obligations for building owners to increase energy classes. Among other major innovations, the abandonment of fossil-fuelled boilers has been postponed from 2035 to 2040, the obligation to install solar panels on residential buildings has been removed, and mortgage portfolio standards (so-called 'green mortgages') have been made 'voluntary' by Member States. The final text, however, is not free of residual criticalities, including the presence of an article requiring Member States to provide for sanctions, without any exemptions or protections for the most vulnerable citizens (Art. 31)".
The next steps in the legislative process will be communicated later....