In a series of reports titled “Unpacking REPowerEU,” the Reform Institute, in cooperation with PORT PC, outlines the most important changes introduced by the European Union’s REPowerEU – a plan to accelerate the transition away from Russian fossil fuels, including buildings.

The first publication, “Unpacking REPowerEU: Towards healthy and energy-friendly homes”, shows the benefits of a comprehensive approach to green building renovation. The enormous range of the described benefits clearly indicates that the accelerated transformation of the building stock using the most efficient technologies is in the broad public interest. The move towards healthy buildings and clean air around them should be the norm, not a luxury. The publication presents the legal changes in the EPBD Directive that are intended to implement a wave of building renovations in EU countries. It also outlines the tasks to be performed by the Member States. These will include, among other things, the implementation of a zero-emission building standard, which all new buildings will have to meet from 2030 (public buildings from 2027), the introduction of the requirement to adapt new buildings for the use of photovoltaics, the introduction of energy performance certificates for buildings – which is intended to contribute to the harmonization of standards and a consistent approach to energy classes, and the organization of a system to help modernize buildings with the lowest energy standards. 

The second publication, “How is Europe saving energy and moving away from fossil fuels in buildings?”, presents legal changes that are being introduced and which have a significant impact on building renovations, including increasing energy efficiency, developing renewable energy sources, and developing heat pump technology. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to these challenges, pointing to calculations of the real benefits of reducing energy costs. In addition, the report provides an overview of the actions taken by individual EU countries in response to the energy crisis. Most countries are already implementing ambitious measures proposed by the EU, such as promoting energy savings, moving away from public subsidies for fossil fuel appliances, and introducing bans on the use of new gas or oil boilers in buildings. The report presents the changes taking place, which highlight the need for bold decisions and acceleration of the transition in Poland as well. 

The third publication, “No More Energy Vampires”, outlines the scale of the problems and indicates what the Polish government can do – in consultation with other European countries – to remedy them. The report presents basic data on building “energy vampires” in Poland and discusses initiatives undertaken at the EU level to accelerate the modernization of the most energy-intensive buildings. It also explains the importance of a transparent building energy rating system and minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), including specific commitments that EU member state governments can make to combat “energy vampires”. The report concludes with recommendations for the Polish public administration on key actions that should be taken in the coming years to solve the problem of “energy vampires”. 

We invite you to familiarize yourself with our publications, available only in Polish.