Today’s plenary vote by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) represents an encouraging signal that the EU is ready to introduce ambitious measures to tackle the climate impact of buildings.

With this vote, MEPs have voted in favour of safeguarding key measures to support the decarbonisation of Europe’s building stock introduced by the European Commission and built on by Ciaran Cuffe, Member of the European Parliament, and his colleagues in the compromise agreement that was approved by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) in February.

As the EPBD revision process enters trilogues, World Green Building Council calls on the European Commission, European Parliament and EU Council representatives to maintain a high level of ambition and commitment to delivering climate, economic and social benefits to EU citizens.

Speaking after the vote, Audrey Nugent, Director of Global Advocacy, WorldGBC said: 

“The approval of Ciaran Cuffe’s report on the EPBD by the European Parliament puts the file in a solid position as the process enters trilogue discussions. The proposed agreement is a huge step forward for Europe’s building stock that will enable EU citizens to enjoy lower energy bills, reduced energy poverty, whilst also tackling the Whole Life Carbon impact of the building stock.”

Ahead of the vote, the European building sector had indicated industry support for the ITRE agreement by co-signing WorldGBC’s open letter alongside a coalition representing over 6,000 organisations.