Ciarán Cuffe MEP appointed rapporteur on EU buildings law

A Dublin-based MEP has been selected by the European Parliament as the rapporteur on a major legislative proposal to tackle climate change. Ciarán Cuffe, a Green Party MEP has been chosen as the Parliament’s rapporteur on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, a major legislation in the EU’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.

Speaking shortly after his appointment Cuffe stated that he was honoured to be appointed to the role. Cuffe said;

“The European Parliament wishes to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. This is a significant challenge. We know that more than one third of the EU’s emissions come from buildings, and our efforts to tackle this are central to our decarbonisation efforts. 

“As an architect and planner I know that buildings can lead the way in reducing emissions. I believe we can work with communities to mobilise efforts to make the difference. An A-rated home has reduced emissions and lower heating bills. This can be a win-win for all.

“I want every country within the EU to put in place Minimum Energy Performance Standards. These can help ensure that householders are protected from high energy costs and price shocks. Deep renovations are also crucial to achieving this. We also need one-stop shops across the European Union to give householders the right advice. Bodies like the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEAI) and the Tipperary Energy Agency are doing great work, and we need to replicate this across Europe.

“In addition to insulating our homes we must move away from gas and oil to using electric heat pumps that can reduce costs and emissions. The European Union, and national governments must help households achieve this, and reduce costs. I am particularly keen to ensure that this Directive helps bring about a Just Transition, by ensuring that social housing, and the homes of those on low incomes are renovated first, to protect people on low incomes from energy poverty.

“There is also scope to make greater use of district heating in Ireland. I want to see the waste heat from the Ringsend Waste to Energy Plant piped into buildings in Dublin’s Docklands.”

The European Commission has published the draft of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and it is now up to the Parliament and Council to come to agreement on a revised text.