Maltese MEPs vote against EU rules on buildings’ energy performance

Malta’s MEPs have voted against draft measures that mandate house renovations to reduce energy consumption in buildings.

The draft rules would require all new buildings to be zero-emission from 2028, with the deadline for new buildings occupied, operated or owned by public authorities in 2026. All new buildings should be equipped with solar technologies by 2028, where technically suitable and economically feasible, while residential buildings undergoing major renovation have until 2032.

The proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to make the EU building sector climate neutral by 2050.

Buildings in the EU are responsible for 40% of all energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. A new European Climate Law enshrined both the 2030 and the 2050 targets into binding European law.

MEPs adopted their position by 343 votes to 216, with 78 abstentions, narrowly avoiding defeat from a right-wing backlash from the EPP and liberals Renew. MEPs will now enter into negotiations with Council to agree on the final shape of the bill.

Labour MEPs Alex Agius Saliba, Alfred Sant and Cyrus Engerer voted against, as did Nationalist MEP David Casa – with the socialist S&D group backing the law, while the centre-right EPP split over the vote. Labour MEP Josianne Cutajar was not present for the vote.

The PN candidate for Europe, Peter Agius, earlier this week warned that the radical shake-up in the way properties are built in Malta would require wall, floor and ceiling insulation as well as smart lighting and solar panels to become the standard, suggesting added compliance costs could raise the price of a three-bedroom apartment by €36,000.

Agius said that by 2028, the extra costs would comprise €5,000 in thermal and double-glazing, €3,000 in smart lighting, €6,000 in solar panels and €3,000 for a heat pump, €8,000 in wall insulation, and €11,000 in ground and ceiling insulation. “As a country, it is in our interest to be part of the fight against climate change. Initial capital investments in property improvements will be offset in due time, however, we must be vigilant not to pass on the full cost of climate change on the upcoming generations,” Agius said.

European Parliament vote

Residential buildings have to achieve, at a minimum, energy performance class E by 2030, and D by 2033 – on a scale going from A to G, the latter corresponding to the 15% worst-performing buildings in the national stock of a member state.

Non-residential and public buildings would have to achieve the same ratings by 2027 and 2030 respectively.

The upgrade in energy performance, which can take the form of insulation works or improvement in the heating system, would take place when a building is sold or undergoes a major renovation or, if it is being rented, when a new contract is signed.

Member states have to present national renovation plans that also include support schemes to facilitate access to grants and funding.

They can also exclude buildings protected for their special architectural or historical merit, technical buildings, buildings used temporarily, and churches and places of worship. Member states may also exempt public social housing, where renovations would lead to rent increases that cannot be compensated by savings on energy bills.

“Soaring energy prices have put the focus on energy efficiency and energy saving measure,” said Irish MEP Ciarán Cuffe, of the Greens. “Improving the performance of Europe’s buildings will reduce bills and our dependence on energy imports. We want the directive to reduce energy poverty and bring down emissions, and provide better indoor environments for people’s health. This is a growth strategy for Europe that will deliver hundreds of thousands of good quality, local jobs in the construction, renovation, and renewable industries, while improving the well-being of millions of people living in Europe.”