The "Green Case" directive comes into effect and restores the possibility of discounts on invoices in Italy.

All prices are valid at the time of publication. If you click on a link or make a purchase, we may receive a reward. Almost a year after being approved by the European Parliament, the "Energy Efficiency of Buildings" directive (Epbd) comes into effect, which is part of the "Fit for 55" program. This program aims to implement initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and combating high energy resource tariffs. Rapporteur Kieran Cuff stated:“The sharp rise in energy resource prices has once again drawn attention to issues of energy efficiency and energy-saving measures. Improving the energy performance of buildings in Europe will help reduce electricity bills and decrease dependence on energy imports. Our goal is to help reduce energy poverty, cut emissions, and create a healthier living environment for people.”This is part of a growth strategy for Europe that will create hundreds of thousands of quality jobs in construction, renovation, and renewable energy, improving the well-being of millions of Europeans. The directive, known as "Green Homes," gives member states significant freedom in choosing implementation methods, including the option to apply discounts on bills. Soon, Italy will also have to develop a plan to achieve the goals outlined in the directive.

Goals of the "Green Homes" Directive

The ambitions of the European Union in the fight against climate change are significant, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (particularly CO₂) by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, ultimately achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. One of the EU's initiatives is the "Green Homes" directive, which received 370 votes in favor, 199 against, and 46 abstentions. The Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden abstained from voting, while Italy and Hungary voted against it. The text of the directive requires that all new buildings be emission-free and equipped with solar and photovoltaic panels starting in 2028, while existing buildings must meet at least energy class E by January 1, 2030, and class D by 2033. For public buildings, the deadlines are stricter: new structures must meet net-zero conditions by 2026, and existing (non-residential and public) buildings must achieve classes E and D by 2027 and 2030, respectively.

Kadri Simson, the EU Commissioner for Energy, noted that buildings are the most energy-consuming sector in Europe, accounting for 40% of all energy use and generating 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, less efficient buildings consume ten times more energy than new or well-renovated ones.

Elimination of gas boilers and recognition of hybrid systems with heat pumps

The directive also introduces a ban on the use of fossil fuels for heating residential buildings by 2035, with subsidies for the installation of gas boilers being eliminated starting this year. In addition to heat pumps, which are the best option due to their efficiency (especially when combined with the installation of solar panel systems), hybrid systems are also possible, where both technologies are managed by a single controller.

ITALIAN SITUATION

Data collected by the European Commission shows that approximately 75% of the housing stock is energy inefficient, but the situation in Italy is somewhat different due to efforts made in previous years. In Italy, nZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Buildings) standards were introduced as early as 2021 for new buildings and those that have been significantly renovated, with examples such as Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, where commitments were implemented even earlier, in 2016 and 2017 respectively. According to ENEA, around 45,000 properties are already classified as nZEB in Italy, along with about 2,000 buildings for non-residential purposes. However, the organization emphasizes that there is still much work to be done, as 74% of Italian residential buildings (approximately 11 million) fall below class D, which includes 34% in class G, 23.8% in class F, and 15.9% in class E. The Italian Builders' Association (Ance) also confirms this, stating that out of 12 million residential buildings, more than 9 million do not meet the necessary energy requirements. Federica Brancaccio, president of Ance, emphasizes that, in addition to commitments to facilitate structural changes from member states, funding must also be allocated.“There should be resources from the new EU fund for ecological transformation and a set of tools that will be supported by everyone.”In this regard, the European Parliament has mandated that each government develop a national reconstruction plan that will include support mechanisms to facilitate access to subsidies and financing. Member states must establish information centers and renovation programs that are cost-neutral, with particular attention given to buildings with poor performance and vulnerable families, who should be provided with targeted subsidies and grants.

How will the new realities be implemented?

To reduce CO₂ emissions, it is not enough to simply make a building more efficient and passive (that is, capable of producing energy instead of just consuming it); it is also important to construct or renovate it with consideration for the environmental impact of the materials used. This trend towards more sustainable construction looks at renewable materials such as wood (which is good in terms of sustainability but still too expensive), hemp, and cork as alternatives to concrete and other materials for thermal and sound insulation.

Silvia Ricci, Vice President of Ance, noted that 11% of emissions released into the atmosphere come from the production of concrete, steel, and glass. As a result, more and more builders are starting to choose materials based on an assessment of their environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle.“Any building today must be conceived with ecological sustainability in mind from the design stage.”She said. Ance supports those who choose recycled and recyclable building materials or those produced at sites powered by renewable energy sources, activating certain tools to monitor consumption on construction sites and encouraging more conscientious companies.

Deviations from the directive and renovation passports

The amendment "Green Buildings" excludes buildings for cult purposes, temporary structures (such as construction sites and beach establishments), buildings of high historical or artistic significance or located in protected areas, as well as summer houses, meaning residences used for less than four months a year and with limited energy consumption (< 25% compared to what it would be if the building were used daily). The changes will also affect the energy classification of buildings (APE), where a new class "A0" will be introduced, corresponding to ZemB (Zero Emission Building), and will be added to the already known classes of energy efficiency. One of the discussed but not yet adopted measures is the obligation to create a new APE with each lease renewal. The new directive, in turn, introduces a "renovation passport," which is a digital document useful for owners when planning activities that will gradually reduce the building's emissions to zero. The passport (the necessity of which will be determined by each member state) must be prepared by a qualified or certified expert and describe the renovation plan, indicating the stages and expected benefits in terms of energy savings, reduced costs, and greenhouse gas emissions over the entire life cycle of the building.

BAN ON THE SALE/RENTAL OF BUILDINGS THAT DO NOT MEET STANDARDS

Unlike the initial draft of the "Energy Efficiency in Buildings" amendments, the final version no longer imposes a strict ban on the sale or rental of buildings that do not comply with the new energy efficiency and energy saving directives, leaving this decision to the member states.