EU Parliament approves law to make buildings more energy efficient

The European Parliament passed a new legislation on 12th March, mandating member states to promote the refurbishment of buildings to enhance energy efficiency, thus reducing the EU's carbon footprint. With 370 members voting in favor, 199 against, and 46 abstaining, the majority supported the bill.

Buildings constitute 40% of the EU's energy consumption, predominantly reliant on fossil fuels for heating. The implementation of the new regulations will drive the modernization of buildings to lower energy usage, with the additional goal of accelerating the transition away from Russian gas and decreasing household energy expenses.

Green MEP Ciaran Cuffe, the negotiator of the law, emphasized its potential to alleviate energy poverty, reduce building emissions, and decrease reliance on fossil fuel imports while saving money for consumers.

The law mandates EU member states to enforce newly established standards for non-residential structures like offices and hospitals, with the option to utilize EU funding for enhancing energy efficiency. While residential buildings may also be subject to these standards, there's no compulsory renovation requirement for individual homeowners.

Italian legislator Angelo Ciocca, whose party, Lega, belongs to Italy's ruling coalition, blew a whistle in the European Parliament on Tuesday in protest at the approval of the law, until he was taken out by security officers.