EPBD amendments strengthen IEQ requirements

The European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted its position on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) after some long and difficult negotiations. These compromise amendments contain significant changes, and more ambitious targets than the EC recast proposal, including a new article on IEQ.

However, some derogations and possible loopholes were also included in the final compromise position.

New article on indoor environmental quality

ITRE proposes a new Article 11a – indoor environmental quality with mandatory requirements for adequate IEQ standards in buildings to maintain a healthy indoor climate. The article lists comprehensive mandatory IEQ indicators, like defining indoor target pollutant limits and PM measurement. It also contains a mandate for the Commission to develop a delegated act establishing a methodology framework on IEQ standards.

Emission reduction targets and cost-optimal minimum energy performance requirements

The position proposes stricter emission reduction targets compared to the EP proposal. All new buildings should be zero-emission from 2028, with public buildings from 2026.

Existing residential buildings should achieve Class E by 2030, and Class D by 2033, while non-residential and public buildings would have to achieve the same classes by 2027 and 2030 respectively.

Members states are allowed a derogation to exempt several building types, like historical buildings, technical buildings or social housing, or to adjust the targets for part of the building stock depending on technical or economical feasibility.

Member states should define costoptimal minimum energy performance standards taking into account life-cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP). Cost-optimal levels may be adjusted as needed, considering changes of energy prices, material or labour costs.

The proposal mandates the Commission to adopt a delegated act on a harmonised EU methodology framework for the calculation of life-cycle GWP.

Fossil fuel-based heating systems

The position bans fossil fuel heating systems by 2035, while proposing that member states should not authorise fossil fuels in heating systems in any new buildings, or those undergoing major or deep renovation, from the transposition date of the recast directive. However, hybrid systems and boilers certified to run on renewable fuels, and other technical building systems not exclusively using fossil fuels, are not considered fossil heating systems.

“The ITRE vote approved ambitious targets for the decarbonisation of our buildings,” said Anita Derjanecz, Managing Director, REHVA. “REHVA especially welcomes the proposed amendment on mandatory IEQ requirements, as it has been advocating for this for many years. I hope that the amendments, including a mandate for a delegated act establishing an EU level methodology framework on IEQ assessment, will be part of the final directive.

“The necessary rapid shift towards zero emission buildings and heating systems is a challenge which needs strong political action at EU and national level to phase out fossil fuels from heating. We need harmonised and transparent energy performance assessment methodologies using non-renewable primary energy as the metric to favour renewable energybased systems over fossil fuels,” she concluded.

Majority bias is not ‘equality’

As a proactive supporter of inclusion and diversity, I am forever taken aback when I come across inequality masquerading as equality. Note the recent statement from Michael Carey, Chair of the Housing Agency Board, on the appointment of new Board members.

“I am delighted to welcome five new members to the board of The Housing Agency. It is also heartening to see that for the first time, the majority of our board members are women, which is a progressive step forward”.

I thought the whole point was equality and the elimination of majority bias.

Making its mark …

Daikin earthquake aid

Daikin Europe has donated €230,000 worth of supplies to the areas affected by the recent earthquake that caused so much damage in Turkey and Syria.

Emergency supplies such as winter clothing, blankets, food, water and medicines are being provided by Daikin Turkey in collaboration with authorised organisations.

In addition, Daikin Group employees in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are also raising funds and the company has pledged to match the amount raised by employees in further donations.

Chadwicks supports skills

In addition to sponsoring the TU Dublin Apprentice Excellence Awards, Chadwicks Group has also donated €250,000 to TU Dublin to support the development of Design + Construct, Ireland’s first centre of excellence for AEC.

It is hoped that the new centre will redefine the teaching and learning of architecture, engineering and construction in Ireland, and thereby attract more into the sector to address the skills shortage.

Congratulations are due to Paudie Gillen, James O’Toole and the entire team at ISOPARTNER (formerly TIDL) on the successful launch of the new brand in the Guinness Storehouse recently. What better way to announce your arrival than with a customised pint of the black stuff!

Feely appointed as UCD President

Professor Orla Feely, currently VicePresident for Research, Innovation and Impact at UCD, has been appointed President of the university and will take up office on 1 May 2023.

Professor Feely holds a BE in electronic engineering from UCD, and MS and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

I take my hat off to Professor Feely – it is some achievement to enter college as a 16 year-old undergraduate and to then become President of the Institution.