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The
European Commission has proposed the EU climate and energy policy framework for
2030, which sets a target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% below
the 1990 level but abandons binding targets for energy efficiency and renewables. These targets have guided R&D work in the
building sector for more than 10 years. Abandoning the energy efficiency target
could stop the progress and destroy the leadership of the European industry.
REHVA and
many other professional organisations are deeply
concerned about the EC proposal. After the release of the proposal, REHVA
Technical Committee quickly prepared ‘the REHVA position paper on the European Commission
2030 climate and energy policy’. It is published on page 48 and was sent to
members of the Parliament and several Directorates in Brussels. The position
paper says, “REHVA is deeply concerned about the lack of binding targets for
energy efficiency, and strongly believes that only with the three balanced and
ambitious targets for GHG, renewables and energy
efficiency it is possible to ensure a successful overall climate and energy
framework for Europe for 2030 and beyond”.
The
Parliament and its important ENVI and ITRE did not agree with the proposal of
the Commission; instead, they requested in their report for more stringent
binding targets in the future EU energy policy. The proposal of the Commission
will still be discussed during the spring in the European Council, and also at
the new Parliament later this year. It is important that Member States take a
position that supports the continuing policy for better energy efficiency of
buildings with binding targets, and that REHVA members in EU support this
position in their countries. Europe has claimed to be a leading body in the
fight against climate change, and it should keep this position. In many cases
the saved energy is the cheapest, and brings at the same time new innovations
and job opportunities.
Implementation
of directives takes time, and it is important to give time to Member States.
The EU policy has to be consistent and farsighted. Implementation may be slow,
but the issue is extremely difficult as all Member States have their own national
legislation and standards. Cooperation and harmonisation
are needed. The EPBD directive requires the MS to set targets for Nearly Zero
Energy Buildings. The summary on page 6 shows huge variation of targets between
the MS. Harmonisation is needed, at least to specify
which segments of energy use are included in the target numbers and what units
are used.
An
important step towards harmonised implementation was
taken when the Commission gave a mandate to CEN to revise the EPBD standards.
The work is now in progress in several working groups with more than 100
working items, preparing more than 40 EBPD related standards, which will be
drafted by April and published for comments after the summer. Final voting is
expected in spring 2015. It is important for these standards to be approved, as
they are valuable tools for national implementation of EPBD and a step towards
common European practice.
REHVA now
has an official liaison position in CEN (page 49) and has the opportunity to
participate in the work in various working groups. This is an opportunity for
REHVA to have an independent, professional impact on the European standards.
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