The multiple benefits of investing in energy efficient new and existing buildings are widely recognised and regularly emphasised by policy makers. It generates government income through increased economic activity and the creation of local jobs. Moreover, it makes our buildings future-proof, reduces energy bills and lowers CO2 emissions and the EU’s dependency on fossil fuel imports. Still 19 Member States have still not or not fully implemented the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive adopted in 2002 and recast in 2010, and may now face court action.

Oliver Loebel, Secretary General of PU Europe stated, “It is consternating to see that this unprecedented mass legal action would concern a directive which offers such substantial opportunities to crisis-hit Europe and which has been approved by an overwhelming majority in the European Parliament and the Council.”

The Commission had launched infringement procedures for non-communication in September 2012 against 24 Member States that did not declare full transposition at that time. Since then, four more countries seem to have sent their notification of transposition. Eight countries have not submitted any declaration while eleven others seem to have partially implemented the directive.

An estimated 19 local jobs are created1 for each one million Euro invested in the energy efficiency of buildings. The losses for society are therefore building up which each month of additional delay.

“Nobody denies that the practical implementation of this directive is a complex process. However, most of the delays are clearly due to a lack of political will. Complexity can no longer serve as an excuse. Europe’s energy efficiency industry is willing and able to provide advice and expertise wherever needed”, Loebel concluded.

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For more details, please contact

PU Europe

Email: secretariat@pu-europe.eu Website: www.pu-europe.eu

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