New regulation for the sustainable development of the European Union

Buildings with low energy that have a high potential for reducing CO2 emissions and energy costs are still not very popular on the construction sector, despite the economic and environmental benefits thereof. Given the fact that, currently, the European construction industry accounts for over 10% of total employment in the EU, the European Commission (EC) adopted recently a new Directive 2012/27/EU, which provides a common framework for measures to promote energy efficiency in the European Union in order to ensure the main objective of reducing by 20% the consumption of energy by 2020 and pave the way for future energy efficiency plans. Under the new Directive, member states shall establish a long-term strategy for mobilizing investment in the renovation of the national stock of residential and commercial buildings, both public and private. This strategy shall encompass an overview of the national building stock based, as appropriate, on statistical sampling and the identification of cost-effective approaches to renovations relevant to the building type and climatic zone. The EU governments will also have to propose policies and measures to stimulate renovation of buildings, evidence-based estimates of energy savings and other benefits expected. A first version of the strategy should be published until April, 30, 2014 and updated thereafter every three years. Overall, the Directive brings forward legally binding measures to step up member states' efforts to use energy more efficiently at all stages of the energy chain - from the transformation of energy and its distribution to its final consumption. Measures include the legal obligation to establish energy efficiency schemes or policy measures in all EU countries, meant to drive energy efficiency improvements in households, industries and transport sectors. The concept of sustainability continues to be implemented in large corporations around the world, and it has become a core consideration for successful businesses worldwide. However, despite these reasons, a study conducted by the consulting company KPMG shows that more than a third of enterprises have not defined yet a strategy for sustainability. For further information and a detailed analysis of the current Agenda Constructiilor issue, click here!