Italian right-wing slam EU Green Homes Directive

(EurActiv, 14 Mar 2023) Italian right-wing parties are united against the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and call on the government to show its opposition in negotiations with the European Parliament following a vote set for Tuesday in Strasbourg.

Controversy over the text has been mounting in Italy since the Industry, Research and Energy (Itre) committee gave its first greenlight on 9 February. The text approved by the ITRE committee is the result of a compromise between the European People’s Party (EPP/Forza Italia), Socialists & Democrats (S&D/Democratic Party), Renew Europe (Italia Viva/Azione) and the European Greens.

It calls for energy efficiency targets for buildings to be strengthened compared to what was initially proposed by the European Commission but provides more flexibility for member states in individual national renovation plans. Derogations are provided for buildings of special architectural or historical value, churches and places of worship.

“The derogations provided in the text on the ballot are insufficient in mitigating the ruinous impact that the legislation will create on the Italian economic and social fabric,” Lega MEP Isabella Tovaglieri told EURACTIV Italy.

According to Tovaglieri, the exemptions provided are the ones that have always existed for this type of legislation, and the only new element is the possibility for each state not to apply the legislation on 22% of the building stock, for social housing or for buildings on which technically there is more difficulty in carrying out a renovation.

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EurActiv, 14 Mar 2023: Italian right-wing slam EU Green Homes Directive