REHVA advocacy & EU policy making

REHVA is advocating for indoor environment quality and buildings energy efficiency and aims at influencing the development of buildings related EU policies and at supporting their national level implementation in the field of HVAC.

REHVA follows European policy developments linked to buildings energy efficiency, especially the revision of the EPBD and its implementation, as well as other relevant EU policies (Ecodesign, Ecolabel, Energy Efficiency Directive, F-gas regulation, Clean Energy Package and Energy Union). Updates about EU policy developments are regularly published in the REHVA Journal, Newsletter and Supporters’ Bulletin. This activity is supported by the TRC which coordinates the development of position papers and technical comments supporting evidence-based European policy development. REHVA’s policy mission is also enhanced by the establishment of the EU Policy&Advoacy Group.

Policy issues

EU Policy Advocacy Group

In February 2024, REHVA launched the EU Policy Advocacy Group (EUPAG) with the primary aim of amplifying REHVA's influence on EU policies, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The kick-off meeting focused on outlining and consensus-building on strategies to enhance the effectiveness of REHVA's advocacy efforts. The event saw participation from 26 colleagues from REHVA Member Associations and REHVA Supporters, all united by a commitment to work collaboratively. The group’s ethos is to forge and disseminate unified REHVA messages, supporting and sharing them across EU, national, and regional levels through REHVA Member Associations.

The EUPAG recognized the importance of proactive engagement during the 2024 European Parliament elections to establish connections with MEPs. As part of this effort, the group prepared a brief document supporting the EPBD Recast, which was distributed to select MEPs ahead of the EPBD vote in March 2024. Following this, REHVA developed a manifesto on the EPBD, outlining their scientific and technical positions. This manifesto has been used to engage MEPs at European, national, and regional levels, ensuring continued communication and advocacy.

Colleagues from REHVA Member Associations and REHVA Supporters & Associate Organisations are encouraged to join the REHVA EU Policy Advocacy Group (EUPAG). If you're not already part of the REHVA family and your organisations shares the same values and vision, you are more than welcome to join us!

EUPAG Publications

Following the 2024 European Parliament elections, REHVA and its EU Policy Advocacy Group (EUPAG) prioritized proactive engagement with MEPs to influence EU building energy policies.

EUPAG prepared and distributed a brief supporting the EPBD Recast to MEPs before the March 2024 vote. They also created a manifesto outlining REHVA’s technical stance on the EPBD, which was used to engage with MEPs across European, national, and regional levels, ensuring consistent communication and advocacy efforts.

Networking and cooperation with EU level professional organisations

REHVA collaborates with a broad range of professionals in the construction sector—architects, consulting engineers, contractors, HVAC manufacturers, facility managers, and other industry leaders. These partnerships focus on promoting building energy efficiency, indoor environment quality, and sustainable energy. The key objectives include fostering professional networking, representing shared interests at the EU level, and facilitating the dissemination of innovation and knowledge.

REHVA maintains an active liaison with EU institutions such as DG Energy, DG Research, and other Commission services (e.g., EASME, CINEA and INEA), as well as the European Parliament and its members (especially ITRE and ENVI Committees, and the Council of the EU (. REHVA is regularly invited to policy consultations and stakeholder meetings as a recognised European stakeholder.

EU level industry associations and initiatives/campaings

EU institutions and EU public affairs

REHVA keeps liaison with the European Union Institutions: European Commission Services, such as DG Energy, DG Enterprise, DG Environment, DG Research, and the Commissions’ Executive Agencies EASME and INEA, as well as with the European Parliament’s ITRE and ENVI Committees, and the Council of the EU. REHVA is acknowledged by DG Energy and DG Research as a European stakeholder organisation and regularly receives invitations to policy consultations and stakeholder meetings, as well as information about on-going policy making work.

EU level industry associations and initiatives/campaings

REHVA maintains close cooperation with Brussels-based professional associations, including EVIA, EPEE, EHPA, eu.bac, EHI, EFA, Eurovent Association, and EuroACE, just to mention some of our partners. These partnerships allow REHVA to participate in discussions and meetings regarding the revised EPBD and other energy and climate policies, exchanging views and advocating for enhanced HVAC systems and building energy efficiency.

Take a look at our European partnership page

Clean energy package and building sector

This package outlines specific measures for the building sector, which is the largest single energy consumer in Europe, with significant potential for energy performance improvements.

REHVA has been actively advocating during the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), and Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), ensuring that the HVAC industry’s interests are represented in these critical policy updates.

Clean energy for all Europeans package

The European Commission’s Clean Energy for All Europeans', originally published in November 2016, has been revised as part of the Fit for 55 initiative. It includes eight key legislative proposals, which encompass:

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD): Mandates the installation of solar energy systems on all new public and commercial buildings by 2026, and on existing buildings of the same type by 2027. All new residential buildings must comply by 2029.

Energy Efficiency Directive (EED): Sets a revised target for reducing energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030. It also mandates a progressive increase in the annual renovation rate of buildings, reaching 1.9% by 2028.

Renewable Energy Directive (RED II): Increases the 2030 target for renewable energy to at least 42.5%, with an aspirational goal of reaching 45%. The directive emphasizes the importance of increasing the share of renewables in heating and cooling systems, aiming for a renewable share of 60% in buildings by 2030.

Other key policies in the package include the Governance of the Energy Union, Electricity Market Design, and rules for the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). These policies are crucial to achieving the EU’s 2030 climate goals, driving energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.