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The EU proposal for new rules on energy performance of buildings is a missed opportunity for nature and well-being

Rotterdam / the Netherlands. ID: 1523657147 While encouraging for energy renovations and decarbonisation, the proposal for the revision of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive adopted by the European Commission felt half-hearted, writes Luigi Petito, Head of WGIN EU Chapter, in the Winter issue of Living Architecture Monitor. With growing urbanisation and 70% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, greening our cities is a no brainer. It is also a key driver for healthy lifestyles and social well-being. There is a growing body of scientific evidence that shows the important role played by Nature in personal well-being. Several psychological studies show that regular contact with Nature heightens our sense of well-being through, for example, the restorative effect of the natural environment and its capacity to stimulate human emotions and reduce stress. The link between green spaces and personal and community well-being should be looked at with much more attention by policy and political decision makers. The health and social impact of integrating vegetations in densely populated areas is tremendous and often surpasses initial costs and other economic considerations. Governments should listen to citizens because they can count on their backing to push through bold and transformative changes to greening the built environment. Greener buildings, with vegetations on roofs and walls, have better energy performance. They require less energy for cooling, and they effectively retain and detain stormwater, which in turn reduces the energy consumption of urban wastewater treatment plants at district or city level. It is also clear that in bio-solar installations green roofs make photovoltaic systems more efficient, generating between 5 to 15% more power due to the evapotranspiration which cools the panels. The European Commission’s proposal is only the first step of a long legislative process which will provide other opportunities for the European Parliament and Member States of the European Union to assess and amend the text before its adoption due by mid-2023. In the weeks ahead, we need to roll up our sleeves and work to raise the bar and improve the Commission’s Directive, for the people and the environment. Read the full article here Living Architecture Monitor (LAM) is a quarterly publication first published in 1998. It features in-depth interviews with leaders in the green building movement, opinions, research, and green roof and wall project profiles.

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EU chapter

Greener buildings to save energy and reduce emissions

WGIN EU Chapter highlights multiple benefits of greener buildings in its first feedback on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. On 22 February, the European Commission published its Inception Impact Assessment on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), requesting stakeholders to share their inputs. The EU Chapter of the World Green Infrastructure Netowk (WGIN) submitted a comprehensive feedback highlighting how green infrastructure like green roofs and walls support the insulation of buildings and therefore contribute to reducing their energy consumption, a key step in the decarbonisation of the EU building stock. In addition, vegetated surfaces help reduce CO2 emissions, making buildings carbon sinks and improving air quality in urban areas, while also having a positive impact on citizens’ mental health. Given green roofs and walls’ added value for the energy performance of buildings and beyond, the EPBD revision should introduce a set of mandatory provisions on green infrastructure in new buildings, public buildings (such as hospitals and schools) and large commercial buildings, where technically feasible. Moreover, the European Commission should include mandatory considerations for green roofs and walls on residential buildings undertaking major renovations. “The revision of the EPBD represents a unique opportunity to set green infrastructure as an integral part of the future of buildings across Europe,” said Prof. Manfred Koehler, President of WGIN. “The multiple benefits of green roofs and walls fit perfectly with the goal of the Directive to achieve a decarbonised and highly energy-efficient building stock by 2050”. The Inception Impact Assessment represents the first step in the consultation process of the European Commission on the EPBD. The legislative proposal on the EPBD revision is expected for the end of 2021. Read WGIN feedback here About us The EU Chapter of the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN) aims to increase the awareness of European Union policymakers about the multiple benefits of green infrastructure, with a specific focus on Building Integrated Vegetative Systems (green roofs and living walls). WGIN brings together national and regional industry associations and renokwn experts to promote the incorporation of urban green infrastructure practice and planning, globally.

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