Jørgensen: ‘Green Homes Directive written with member states.’ Webinar on Sept. 23

Brussels – European rules on the houses of the future were written together with the member states. Those who have criticized and are are still grumbling about the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, better known as the ‘green homes‘ directive, are likely not telling the whole story. That is why Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing Policy, returns to one of the topics that stirred intense political debate the last stretch of the previous European legislature warning those responsible for implementing the new provisions: on 23 September the European Commission will hold a web seminar on the subject, to help those who have to translate rules “dictated” by capital into practice.

 “This package was developed in close cooperation with the Member States through multiple meetings of the Energy Performance Committee,” Jorgensen emphasizes, answering a parliamentary question that EPP MEP Niels Flemming Hansen presented. The Energy Performance Committee is a body of the European Commission comprising representatives from all Member States. It is therefore a technical body, but of a national nature. Not only that. The new European standards are also the result of the “Concerted Action Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD),” the dedicated platform for sharing best practices.

In addition, the Energy and Housing Commissioner recalls that there is a support mechanism for states. And it is with this in mind that the EU executive, in conjunction with the Danish Presidency of the EU Council, has already organized a conference lasting over two hours to show how digitalization can help monitor and thus achieve consumption targets. The appointment is on 23 September, from 14:00 to 16:30. One can register up to two hours before the start of the event by clicking on the special link on the event’s website hosted by the Directorate-General for Energy. 

The Green Homes Directive, as amended, envisages, among other things, targets of reducing the consumption of housing units by at least 16 percent compared to 2020 by 2030, and by at least 20-22 percent by 2035. Targets were also set for non-residential buildings: a 16 percent reduction by 2030 and a 26 percent decline by 2033.