To make the building sector climate neutral by 2050, all new buildings should be zero-emission from 2028. Existing residential buildings would have to be classified as at least E on their energy performance by 2030, and D by 2033 - on a scale going from A to G. Extracts from the debate in plenary, from the vote and statement by Ciarán CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur.

statement

debate

plenary session

vote

Energy (T2)

consumers' protection (T)

Consumers (T2)

fight against climate change (T)

CUFFE, Ciarán (Greens/EFA, IE)

European Green Deal (T)

Fit for 55 (T)

Energy performance of buildings: extracts from the debate, extracts from the vote and statement by Ciarán CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/69147948/1678797158896_I238518Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE in EN, CUFFE Ciar&aacute;n, (Greens/EFA, IR) Rapporteur, It is a plan for the EU to achieve a climate neutral building stock by 2050. Why buildings. Well, buildings are responsible for 36%, more than a third of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions. And there is no question that we have to tackle buildings to make a real change. Categorically, the EU will not achieve its climate targets without this directive.

SOUNDBITE in EN, CUFFE Ciar&aacute;n, (Greens/EFA, IR) Rapporteur, It's also a flexible plan. Every country develops its own renovation plan that is specific to their needs. Historical and religious buildings are exempt.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ciar&aacute;n CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur, The proposed deal will save almost 50 billion cubic metres of fossil gas per year. That's the gas consumption of 35 million households. Another crucial blow to Europe's dependence on Putin's gas.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ciar&aacute;n CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur, Let's vote for cheaper bills, warmer homes and climate protection. It's a good deal for the citizens of Europe. It's a good deal for the construction industry and creating jobs, and it's a good deal for the planet.

SOUNDBITE in EN, SIMSON Kadri, Commissioner for Energy, developing an integrated, interconnected and properly functioning European energy market, The view on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive plays a key role in our strategy for a cost effective transition to net zero. Higher energy performance Buildings are better places to live, have lower energy costs and generate benefits for our society as a whole. So I welcome this report and the ambitious ambition this Parliament shows.

SOUNBITE in BG, Radan KANEV (EPP, BG)(ENVI), The building renovation policy is aimed at many objectives. First, it is extremely useful in social terms. It reduces the bills of households and undertakings alike. Secondly, it has a very positive effect, a significant positive effect on the environment. And last but not least, it has essential and geopolitical effects because it contributes to the union's energy independence and helps us to isolate the aggressive Russian empire.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President opening the vote and atmosphere from the vote, 9 shots

Roberta METSOLA, EP President opens the vote on the commisson proposal and it is adopted, 8 shots

SOUNDBITE (English), Ciar&#225;n CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur, I would like to refer the file back to committee for inter-institutional negotiations, thank you.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President opens the vote on the referral back to comitte and it is adopted, 7 shots

SOUNDBITE (English), Ciar&#225;n CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur, We've set targets for 2030, 20 33 and so on. For dwellings, for instance, we want to get them to an E energy rating by 2030 and a D by 2033. So it's about renovating buildings, it's about lowering their greenhouse gas emissions, and it's about tackling energy poverty because so many people couldn't afford their energy bills this winter. And if we insulate homes, we're well on our way to reducing bills and going in the right direction with our climate targets.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ciar&aacute;n CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur, I think an E energy rating by 2030 isn't overly ambitious. I mean, after all, this is the decade when we really want to tackle climate change and this sets us on the road towards doing that. But we also have derogations. So if member states choose, they can exempt up to 22% of the worst performing buildings from the impact of the directive. And of course heritage buildings are out of scope anyway, so they're not covered. So I think this gives the flexibility that is needed for many Member States who feel challenged by what we're trying to achieve.