Dependence on energy imports, which currently stands at 50%, will swell to 70% by 2030 if no measures are taken. Since European Union members can do little to influence the supply side, they are essentially looking to act on demand. To that end, the EU expects to adopt a directive on building energy performance this year. The French Ministry of Industry with support from ADEME contributed to help draft the directive, which calls for a common method of setting energy performance standards in all EU countries. In addition to saving energy, the method would enable users to compare buildings anywhere in the European Union. Eventually, it could serve as a basis for adopting minimum standards. The latter would factor in local considerations (especially climatics) and apply not only to new buildings and housing, but also to renovation work (for structures of 1,000 sq.m or more).
Another objective of the directive is to create certification systems. “Since it is usually the tenant that pays energy costs, owners have little incentive to improve energy efficiency,” notes Hubert Despretz of ADEME’s building and communities department. “The building’s energy performance rating will affect the amount of rent landlords can charge, which will spur owners to invest in boosting the energy efficiency of buildings and housing.”
Regular inspections of heating and cooling systems may also be implemented in all EU Member States. There is a great deal at stake here, because the heating of space is the major source of household (57%) and service sector (52%) energy consumption. “It's a strong directive; enforcing it will enable us to cut greenhouse gas emissions,” says Hubert Despretz. “The problem for France will be the inspections, because right now we don’t have organisations of professionals who can do them; we will have to structure and train them.”