Secretariat’s actions

Timeline

Tasks

• The competent authorities from Contracting Parties transpose the Directive into national law.
• Secretariat assists Contracting Parties in transposing the directive into national legislation.
• The Energy Community Energy Efficiency Coordination Group (EECG) facilitates effective implementation, supporting exchanging best practices, information, and harmonizing approaches across Contracting Parties.
   

Legal basis and purpose

Buildings account for over 40% of total final energy consumption in most Energy Community Contracting Parties, making the sector critical for achieving energy efficiency and decarbonisation targets. Improving the energy performance of buildings also enhances indoor comfort and the wellbeing of citizens.

Recognising the strategic importance of the sector, the Energy Community Ministerial Council adopted the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU in 2010. The Directive launched a comprehensive approach to improving building energy performance across the region, providing a framework for targeted measures and investments in building renovation.

In 2021, further steps were taken to reinforce these objectives. Article 2a of the Directive—as amended by Decision 2021/14/MC —requires that each Contracting Party adopt and implement a comprehensive long-term renovation strategy supporting investments in the renovation of existing building stocks in a cost-effective manner.

Integral to this approach is the establishment of an enabling framework for investments, which includes the certification of energy performance for buildings, the setting of minimum energy performance requirements, and the adoption of nearly-zero energy building standards.