VIPA International advocates for higher energy efficiency requirements and deep renovation of building in its reply to the Public Consultation on the Energy Efficiency Directive

The Vacuum Insulation Panel Association participated to the Public Consultation launched by the European Commission on the Directive 2012/27/EU on Energy Efficiency (EED). In its response, VIPA International stresses that the EED includes key measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, but its actual impact was limited by delays and excessive flexibility in the implementation process, short-sight perspective and general lack of ambition.

Buildings have the highest potential to deliver energy savings in the European Union: buildings account today for 40% of EU primary energy demand and must be the primary arena to achieve the 2020 energy efficiency target. Deep renovation can deliver important benefits and should become the norm in the EU. Better insulation and the use of the next generation of insulation material such as Vacuum Insulation Panels should be supported at EU, national and local levels.

VIPA International’s President, Roland Caps, remarked that “the EU and all Member States should see energy efficiency, deep renovation and better insulation of buildings as an opportunity for jobs, growth, sustainability, energy independence and security instead of considering it as a burden. Vacuum insulation panels deliver top class energy savings in a reduced space and can effectively contribute to the achievements of the EU energy efficiency targets”

VIPA International acknowledges that one of the key barriers to deep renovation is often the high upfront cost. For this reason, drivers and incentives are certainly needed, also to avoid a focus on the low hanging fruit of renovation that risks being counterproductive in the long term.

VIPA International also underlines that buildings built today will still be operative in 50 years, and this lifespan should be reflected in clear and ambitious energy efficiency targets. Holistic, long term approach based on the Energy Efficiency first principle should be adopted. The EU must use best in class technologies, high energy efficient products and invest in deep renovation.