Energy and carbon impact of very low energy building

The main purpose of the current study is to investigate the impact associated with a wider introduction of very low energy buildings in Europe, especially for EU Member States (MS) which have elaborated plans for the future towards very low energy buildings. In the study, the resulting energy savings and CO2 emission reduction from buildings constructed as very low energy buildings will be dealt with, taking into account the national energy-mix as well as national interpretation of very low energy buildings. In addition, the study seeks to obtain information on relevant national studies on very low energy buildings, including measures and programmes to promote such buildings and to remove barriers to their future development. In this context, education, training, and the public sector are areas of special interest. In a recent study [1] we gathered a picture of the planned strategies in European countries regarding the implementation of requirements towards very low energy buildings (on passive house level or similar). This paper discusses results from a second survey on potential energy and CO2 emission reductions if European MS shift towards very low energy buildings. One of the prescribed actions on buildings in the EU Action Plan on Energy Efficiency [2] is for the Commission to develop a strategy for very low energy or passive houses (before 2009) towards a more widespread deployment of these building types by 2015. In the Commission proposal for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) recast [3] MS will be required to draw up national plans for increasing the number of buildings for which both carbon dioxide emissions and primary energy consumption are low or equal to zero. The MS shall set targets for the minimum percentage which these buildings shall constitute of the total number of buildings in 2020. The targets shall be specified for both new and existing buildings as well as for buildings occupied by public authorities. The current recast of the EPBD is therefore an excellent opportunity for the European Commission, the European Parliament and Council to show EU leadership in tackling both climate challenge, security of supply and fuel poverty by adopting ambitious requirements to develop very low energy and very low carbon emission buildings for both existing and new buildings as soon as possible. This study clearly shows that it is possible and that this move has started in Member States. Introduction This work was carried out to assist the European Commission, the Parliament and Council as well as Member States (MS) in the continued priority of developing a strategy for very low energy/carbon neutral buildings. The work was carried out in two steps. The first step was to create an overview of the current situation in MS for implementing very low energy buildings (VLEB) and the strategies to make this become the standard. The study showed that several MS have already set targets for very low energy or carbon neutral buildings however, also that some countries have made no progress in this direction. The definition of VLEB varies significantly across Europe, not only in terms of the allowed absolute level of energy consumption in a low energy building, but also in the energy flows included in the minimum requirements. Further the national