EU’s green buildings law faces right-wing backlash in European Parliament

(EurActiv, 13 Mar 2023) As the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive enters the home stretch, it faces a first crucial test in the European Parliament this week, where opposition is lying in wait.

The EPBD is currently being revamped in a bid to decrease the energy consumption of buildings in Europe and align it with the EU’s more ambitious climate goals for 2030.

To do this, the European Commission has proposed introducing minimum energy performance standards for the 15% worst performing buildings, which would be rated “G” on the EU’s energy performance scale.

Under the proposal, tabled in December 2021, all buildings in Europe must reach a minimum performance threshold by 2033, whether they are residential or not. And by 2050, the entire building sector should be almost entirely emission-free.

However, it’s not clear whether the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) will survive mounting opposition from EU countries.

“We will oppose [the EPBD] as a government but above all as Italians,” said Italy’s Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini.

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EurActiv, 13 Mar 2023: EU’s green buildings law faces right-wing backlash in European Parliament