EU Directives on Energy Efficiency
EU Directives on Energy Efficiency
European Union policy and legislation can have a significant impact on our manufacturing operations and the markets for our products. Two key EU Directives anticipated to have an impact on the architectural glass market in Europe are summarised below.
Energy Efficiency Directive
The new, recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) establishes a legally-binding target to reduce the EU’s final energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030 (relative to the 2020 reference scenario).
Among other measures, the EED:
- provides a new legal basis for the Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle, requiring Member States to assess energy efficiency solutions in planning, policy and major investment decisions
- introduces a new target for Member States to reduce energy consumption of all public bodies combined by 1.9% each year
- extends the annual 3% buildings renovation obligation to all the levels of public administration
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
Following its recast, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) remains the most important legislative driver for change in the buildings sector and impacts on national building regulations covering energy efficiency and carbon emissions.
Key focus areas of the recast EPBD include:
- Minimum Energy Performance Standards
- National Building Renovation Plans
- Strengthened Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
- Renovation Passports
- Introduction of zero-emission buildings as standard for new buildings
- Calculation of whole life cycle carbon
What does it mean for glass?
Targets for energy efficiency, including a legal basis for the EE1st principle, should create opportunities for increased energy performance of building fabric, including high performance glazing such as Pilkington Suncool™ and Pilkington Optitherm™. The introduction of renovation passports and improvements to EPCs should highlight the contribution that energy efficient glazing can make in building refurbishments. An increased focus on carbon emissions in the recast EPBD – particularly whole life carbon – should see a rise in demand for low carbon construction products such as Pilkington Mirai™.
More information
We are an active member of Glass for Europe, the trade association for flat glass manufacturers in Europe. For more information on the above and other EU policies that could impact on our industry, please check out the Glass for Europe website.