RICS Chief Executive Louis Armstrong met with EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs in Brussels on 2 May. 

The main focus of the meeting was to illustrate how RICS can support the European Commission in the area of energy efficiency and supply, focussing on the built environment.

The RICS CEO presented RICS' new Recommendations on Energy Efficiency in the Built Environment (available for download) and stressed the unique insight of chartered surveyors into the fabric of existing buildings and how RICS members are beginning to notice that energy efficiency is becoming a market factor in commercial buildings.

It was agreed that RICS would share its findings on the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Work on the revision is due to start in 2008 and RICS offered to gather information on the workability on the current Directive through its members.

A meeting with Member of European Parliament Fiona Hall emphasised the interest in the EPBD, especially in the possible extension of the scope to buildings below 1000 m2. 

Members interested to give their opinion on a possible extension of the scope are kindly invited to do so until 31 May. More information.

RICS Public Affairs Europe would like to thank those Members who voted on what they thought should have been the main topic of discussion between the Commissioner and RICS.

The result of the interactive vote on the RICS Discussion Forums was:

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Further information
RICS Public Affairs Europe
E publicaffairsbrussels@rics.org.

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