According to the Building Performance Institute of Europe, European endeavors to tackle the threat of global warming by constructing greener and more efficient buildings are faltering.
There is a “misalignment with EU climate targets” because countries interpret new energy-efficiency regulations differently, said the independent think-tank that specializes in climate-neutral architecture. It also stated that the current standards allow for “considerable” usage of fossil fuels as they have not been revised to reflect a decrease in the cost of renewable energy.
Buildings, during construction as well as operation, emit a significant amount of COâ‚‚. The United Nations Environment Programme encouraged governments to enhance standards in December 2020, after greenhouse gas emissions from construction activities reached a new high in 2019, according to the most current measurement.
Since January, new buildings in Europe have been required to stick with the so-called nearly zero-energy criteria, which require that the little energy they use originate primarily from renewable sources. The rules are part of European climate change policies that were put in place over a decade ago.
The institute unequivocally said that if Europe is to fulfill its climate targets for 2030 and 2050, the rules must be reinforced and applied equally. The organization stated that legislation outlining building criteria is being revised this year, allowing an opportunity to rethink the rules.
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