Energy efficiency still a hot debate in the European Parliament

• a 35% binding target for energy efficiency at the EU level: the EU should achieve 35% reduction of energy consumption by 2030 compared to 2005.
• National indicative targets  
• Article 7 maintained (obligation for energy providers to reduce sales by at least 1,5% every year) with sales of energy used in transport fully included in the calculations.
• Reference to social housing within article 7 is also maintained:

“In designing alternative policy measures to achieve energy savings, Member States shall take into account the effect on low-income households, including those affected by energy poverty, and ensure measures are implemented as a priority in those households and in social housing”.

• However, deletion of exemption for renewable energy, which would have allowed to exclude from the Article 7 target parts of the energy generated on or in buildings for own use
• Rejection of the amendment on an extension of renovation obligation to social housing.

There will now be negotiations with the Member States (Council) which might lead to a different result in the end. But whatever the final outcome, a revised EED combined with revised EPBD, which will include an obligation for Member States to have a clear and funded strategy on decarbonization of building stock, signals an enhanced ambition of the EU in the field.

Throughout this process, Housing Europe has pleaded for cost-effective solutions and helped to bring a sound reality check for policymakers, with the help of its members.  We will continue to monitor the discussion between the European Parliament and the Council to ensure that the final legislation will empower rather than hamper social, cooperative and public housing providers, which are already leading the fair energy transition at the local level.