Energy-use in buildings will increasingly be based on decarbonised rather than fossil fuels. Smarter technology will help integrate heating and cooling with the electrical sector, and the uptake of electrical heat pumps, both residential and large scale, will play a pivotal role in this transition.
As part of the European Green Deal targets, the EU has committed to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and agreed on an ambitious emissions reduction trajectory of -55% by 2030. Around 40% of European energy consumption occurs through heating and cooling buildings. This means that decarbonising the heating and cooling sector is an essential component of Europe’s climate strategy.
The EU 2030 climate and energy targets and their supporting framework are currently being revised as part of the Fit for 55 package.
Priorities and actions to decarbonise the heating and cooling sector in the EU fall within the Renovation Wave Strategy and Energy System Integration Strategy.
These two strategies are translated into the general legislative framework for energy efficiency, which includes:
– The Energy Efficiency Directive
– The Ecodesign Directive
– The Renewable Energy Directive
– The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Call to action –
EPEE STRATEGIC VISION ON HOW TO MAKE THE HEATING AND COOLING SECTOR FIT FOR 55
In October 2020, the European Commission launched a Renovation Wave Strategy. This was in recognition of the fact that a rapid acceleration of energy savings and renovations are crucial if buildings are to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
The Energy System Integration Strategy aims to create a more efficient, circular energy system by creating links between end-use sectors (such as buildings) and the wider energy system, as well as more efficiently using ‘waste’ energies such as heat and cold.
EPEE’s main priority with regard to these strategies is to ensure that buildings are constructed and renovated with highly efficient, renewable-based heating and cooling systems. This will enable buildings to provide demand flexibility through the use of renewables and thermal storage.
EPEE’s position paper on the Fit for 55 revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive details our recommendations on how the revision can maximise energy savings in heating and cooling.
EPEE also collaborates closely with industry and civil society stakeholders on the Energy Efficiency Directive through our membership in the Coalition for Energy Savings.
Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. This is mostly a result of heating and cooling needs, which are still predominantly based on fossil fuels.
Boosting the fuel switch by installing efficient and renewable HVAC systems is key to helping buildings become more energy efficient and decarbonised.
EPEE welcomes the upcoming revision of the EPBD and the industry is ready to support the successful realisation of a carbon-neutral buildings sector.
The Renewable Energy Directive promotes the use of renewable heating solutions, such as heat pumps. However, more needs to be done to deploy renewable heating and cooling solutions.
EPEE’s recommendations on the Fit for 55 revision of the Renewable Energy Directive are outlined in our dedicated position paper.
