Glass for Europe has welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in so far that it goes in the right direction.

In a video statement, Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe, warned that the European Commission ‘needs to accelerate’ to deliver the expected energy and CO2 emissions savings by 2030.

The proposal is future proof and aligned with carbon emission reduction ambitions when it comes to its provisions on new buildings.

Glass for Europe supports for instance: the proposed requirement that all new buildings are zero-emission buildings in 2030 and 2027 for public buildings; the maintained focus on energy efficiency while Member States are invited to give more prominence to healthy indoor climate conditions in buildings, including the availability of daylight that is uniquely provided by glazing; and the mandatory calculation and disclosure of the whole-life cycle Global Warming Potential of new buildings as of 2030.

Provisions on building renovation are essential to the success of the policy framework since most buildings that will be present in 2050 are already built. Glass for Europe has placed most expectations on this critical aspect and Bertrand Cazes notes that: ‘The EC proposal has the merits of trying to bring into the legislation some of the concepts that were part of the Renovation Wave strategy’.

Glass for Europe believes that these measures need to be fine-tuned and added substance so that they can deliver their full impact and drive upward both the quantity and depth of building renovation.

An earlier time limit to upgrade the worst-performing buildings would be desirable, while the introduction of the renovation passport should be made mandatory.

The flat glass industry is already delivering on the ground with its low-carbon solutions: high performance glazing to save energy from buildings and solar glass to contribute to on-site renewables.

To make sure the flat glass and glazing industry can maximise its contributions to a decarbonised and sustainable building stock, Glass for Europe will work with policy makers to help finalise a robust revision of the EPBD.

glassforeurope.com