The Energy Efficiency (Building Renovation and Reporting) (Amendment) Regulations 2020

Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland

Commencement: 26 May 2020

Amends: European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008

Mini Summary

The European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 require the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to submit a strategy and annual updates to the European Commission on the UK’s investment in the renovation of residential and commercial buildings.

 

Amendment

These Regulations are required to ensure the UK fulfils its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement, which sets out the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), as well as setting out the framework for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.

Please note: These Regulations will expire on the last day of the EU exit transition period (a period lasting until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU negotiate additional arrangements on trade, travel and business).

New requirements are inserted into The Energy Efficiency (Building Renovation and Reporting) Regulations 2014 (the ‘2014 Regulations’), by transferring the following articles from Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (the ‘Energy Performance of Buildings Directive’), into the 2014 Regulations:

• Article 2a;
• Article 10(6); and
• Article 20(2).

 

Long-term renovation strategy 
As part of the UK Government’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), the UK is to submit its long-term renovation strategy* (LTRS) detailing its strategy to support the renovation of buildings, in addition to reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions of the building stock (the total number of buildings in the UK). The UK is required to link its financial support for energy efficiency improvements in the renovation of buildings. This includes buildings that have already achieved energy savings, and those with a targeted energy saving.

Before the UK publishes its LTRS, the Secretary of State (SoS) is required to consult with other UK competent authorities** and the public. As soon as the UK’s LTRS is published via the UK Government website, it must be submitted to the European Commission.

n.b. Although a draft version of the NECP was published in 2019, the UK Government is working on a revised NECP which is set to be published during the transition period.

*A long-term renovation strategy is a strategy to support renovation of buildings which are highly energy efficient by reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions of building stock by 2050 and must include:

• An overview of the building stock.
• Policies and actions to stimulate cost-effective renovation of buildings.
• Policies and actions to target:

• the worst performing buildings
• energy poverty; and
• public buildings.

• An overview of national initiatives to promote smart technologies, skills and education in the construction and energy efficiency sectors.

**Other UK competent authorities are:

• Welsh Ministers for Wales.
• Scottish Ministers for Scotland.
• Various departments share the responsibility within Northern Ireland:

• Department of the Economy.
• Department of Finance.
• Department for Communities.
• Invest NI.
• Department for Infrastructure.
• Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation.

 

Information accessible through advisory tools 
The SoS and other UK competent authorities are required to provide information to the owners or tenants of buildings to improve the energy performance of their building (e.g. replace fossil-fuel boilers with more suitable alternatives).

Information on energy performance certificates (including their purpose and objectives) and cost-effective measures are also required to be included within the scope of information to be provided.

All information must be provided via accessible and transparent advisory tools, such as renovation advice and one-stop shops to provide a comprehensive range of services at a location.

There are no changes in duties for organisations.

 

Link to full government text

 

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