The Council (Council)

On Monday, 9 November 2020, the European Parliament adopted the Recovery and Resilience Facility, as part of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to tackle the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The final adoption requires agreement of all 27 Member States and should be forthcoming. In addition to the earlier communication on the RRF, the Commission has now published guidance and templates that Member States can use if they wish to qualify for funding. It is reminded that the national proposals must be introduced by 30 April 2021.

The Commission 2021 work programme is designed to make Europe healthier, fairer and more prosperous, while accelerating its long-term transformation into a greener economy, fit for the digital age. It sets out list of actions for the upcoming 12 months that fit with the political commitments.

The Commission has submitted to these acts to European Parliament and Council that have until 14 December 2020 to object to these acts. The Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) is an optional scheme introduced under Article 8(10) of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

In order to receive support from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Member States must prepare national recovery and resilience plans setting out their reform and investment agendas until 2026, including targets, milestones and estimated costs. At least 37% of the plan’s allocation should support the green transition and at least 20% digital transformation.

Ms Charlotte van de Water, Expert Energy & Climate for Buildings in Eurovent Belgian Member Association Agoria, regularly updates the members of Agoria explaining the links between the European and national policies. Her most recent update looks at how European Climate Policy Framework and budgets are now impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The members are strongly recommended to read this introduction as it provides for a background to the ongoing evolutions at European level, which are often forgotten when dealing with specific directives, regulations or implementing and delegated acts.

In cooperation with Orgalim, the Eurovent Team regularly provides you with an in-depth overview on all European legislative developments of relevance for the HVACR sector. The Bulletin provides for a hands-on compendium allowing the industry to assess the status quo and expected future developments. In addition to recent sector specific issues, our Team has summarised some of the key takeaways within this article.

Regulation (EU) 2020/852 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment (the so-called Taxonomy Regulation) was officially published. The aim of the Taxonomy Regulation is to boost investment in green projects by setting common definitions across the EU for what investments may be considered ‘green’. Select projects in the HVACR and building sectors will qualify if they meet the technical screening criteria, which are to be defined in delegated acts.

In cooperation with Orgalim, the Eurovent Team regularly provides you with an in-depth overview on all European legislative developments of relevance for the HVACR sector. The Bulletin provides for a hands-on compendium allowing the industry to assess the status quo and expected future developments. In addition to recent sector specific issues, our Team has summarised some of the key takeaways within this article.

Eurovent calls for an ambitious EU green recovery package that focuses on renovating the EU ‘s building stock, modernising the energy system, and investing in digitalisation and the circular economy. The next EU budget presents a unique opportunity to reboot the European economy and set it on the track to carbon-neutrality.

The report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows a growing gap between rhetoric and action in decarbonising the economy. Although the uptake of renewables in the EU is accelerating, progress on energy efficiency – especially in buildings – is too slow. The EU stands the most to gain from the energy transition but a much higher level of funding in building renovation and the deployment of energy efficiency technologies is needed to reach the 2050 targets. The solution lies at the nexus of the European Green Deal and the COVID-19 recovery plan.