The building sector – i.e. residential and commercial buildings – is the largest user of energy and C emitter in the EU and is responsible for about 40% of the EU’s total final energy consumption and CO2 emissions. It is responsible for about half of the CO2 emissions not covered by the Emission Trading Scheme and has significant CO2 reduction potential at negative or low abatement costs (see: COM(2008)780). Introduction of the strong energy saving measures in the building sector would also have positive implications for consumers (creating jobs, reducing energy bills and combating fuel poverty).

The main piece of EU legislation in this sector is Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings. Its objective is to promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the EU, taking into account outdoor climatic and local conditions, as well as indoor climate requirements and cost-effectiveness.

ClientEarth recognises the high importance of energy savings in the built sector and the need for effective funding of energy saving measures. In response it has provided legal arguments in the legislative process of the recast of the energy performance in buildings directive, on the issue of fiscal and financial incentives for improved energy performance of buildings.

It is now crucial that this directive is properly transposed into member states’ national legal systems and properly implemented so that energy savings objectives do not remain on paper but are effectively achieved.