European Parliament and Council lawmakers have reached a provisional agreement to enhance the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The revisions aim to reduce energy consumption and emissions in buildings, featuring a phase-out of fossil fuel boilers and a target for all new buildings to be zero-emission by 2030. Buildings account for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. The updated directive mandates zero on-site emissions from fossil fuels for new buildings by 2030, with publicly-owned buildings required to achieve this by 2028. Member states must outline measures to phase out fossil fuels in heating by 2040. The directive includes energy performance standards for non-residential buildings and mandates a national trajectory for reducing primary energy use in residential buildings. All new buildings must be solar-ready, capable of hosting rooftop photovoltaic or solar thermal installations. The directive supports a renovation wave, requiring member states to establish national Building Renovation Plans to decarbonize building stock and set up “building renovation passport schemes.” The agreement is part of the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. The directive awaits formal adoption by the EU Parliament and Council. Ciarán Cuffe, Parliament’s Rapporteur for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, emphasized the achievement as a blueprint for transitioning to a zero-emission building stock, contributing to the EU’s decarbonization plans.
By FCCT Editorial Team
, an independent military force, and allied militias in Sudan raped several dozen women and girls in West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, and those fleeing to Chad between late April and late June 2023, Human Rights Watch said today. The assailants appear to have targeted people because of their Massalit ethnicity and, in some cases, because they were known activists.){kind=link}