RICS status report Towards an Energy efficient European Building Stock
Lack of construction, retrofitting and actual certification expertise are just some of the factors undermining public acceptance of energy performance certificates in Europe, concludes a report by RICS.
The success of the energy performance certificates, and therefore of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD), will very much depend on public perception, says RICS.
The results were presented in Brussels recently as the European Commission prepares for its first stakeholder hearing on the revision of the current EPBD due to take place during the second EU Sustainable Energy Week in January 2008.
The report reveals that Member States’ implementation is still very poor, with Germany and Denmark being the best energy performers.
There have been 20 infringement procedures and one court case against Greece.
Though implementation differs very much from one country to another, according to RICS members working in the field of energy efficiency, the most important challenge for all European countries is to ensure there are enough skilled and qualified energy inspectors in the market.
Ben Alder FRICS states that even in countries where implementation is reasonably advanced, such as the United Kingdom, the current level of expertise is alarmingly low.
Though Germany is leading on sustainability, consumers there do not see the positive benefits of investing in energy performance certificates.
RICS spokesman David Lorenz explained: "Professional advice to consumers is still very much needed to reduce energy consumption."
Ursula Hartenberger, RICS EU Public Affairs Manager, said:
"Obviously having an energy rating is not enough by itself to motivate consumers to invest in energy efficiency in their homes.
To succeed in its challenge to create a sustainable built environment, the European Commission should make further efforts to encourage financial incentives, professional training and a broad communication campaign across Europe at all levels aimed at explaining and stressing the benefits of an optimised energy performance of buildings."
Read the full Towards an Energy efficient European Building Stock research report.
