On 19 October 2006, the European Commission adopted its Action Plan on Energy Efficiency, titled 'Realising the Potential'. As a response, RICS has created a list of recommendations which is available for download at the top right of the screen.
The Action Plan's aim is to reduce the EU's energy consumption by 20% by 2020, which, according to the Commission could save €100bn per year.
The Action Plan comes at a time where Europe is still facing a growing energy consumption, which has been deemed undesirable in terms of security of supply, emissions and competitiveness.
According to the Action Plan, buildings use 40% of the energy consumed in the European Union, with a huge energy saving potential. Residential households have a 27% energy saving potential by 2020, commercial buildings no less than 30%.
According to RICS, the built environment has rightly been identified as having a large energy saving potential and has therefore published a list of recommendations on how to achieve efficient use of energy in the built environment.
These recommendations include:
- Install loft/wall insulation
- Use energy efficient lighting
- Install detailed meters in every home
- Introduce energy labelling on all electronic goods
- Phase out standby buttons
- Avoid urban sprawl
- Install energy efficient condensing boilers
- Better tax incentives
For more information please contact Ursula Hartenberger e uhartenberger@rics.org
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Additional information on the Energy Efficiency Action Plan
The Action Plan proposes 75 measures, divided into 10 priority actions. RICS members will be directly affected by some of the following items:
- Extension of the scope of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive;
- A strategy development for very low energy of 'passive' houses;
- EU minimum performance requirements for new and renovated buildings and components;
- Spurring energy efficiency in new Member States, e.g. in the multi-family and social housing sector;
- Energy efficiency in built-up areas (creation of a network of cities);
- Appliance and equipment labelling and minimum energy performance standards, e.g. for boilers, water heaters and lighting.
