Building standards will cut energy bills and emissions - Hall

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 19th May 2010

North East MEP Fiona Hall, Leader of the UK Liberal Democrat MEPs and member of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, has welcomed the European Parliament's backing for cost optimal standards of energy efficiency for all renovated buildings. Also agreed was a tight, "nearly zero" energy efficiency requirement for all new buildings in Europe from 2021.

It is estimated that the building sector is responsible for 40% of energy consumption and for 35% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. Only 1% of the UK's housing stock is currently considered to be energy efficient.

Fiona said:

"These new energy saving standards will cut energy bills for families and businesses in the North East and throughout Europe. They will also help tackle fuel poverty at source.

"In the North East, 1 in 10 homes has been labelled a category one health hazard because they are so cold and draughty. This existing poor housing stock has to be improved quickly.

"Energy saving in buildings is crucial to meeting our UK and EU agreed targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and boosting our energy security.

"What we have passed in the European Parliament is in line with the UK coalition government's agreement to invest in energy efficiency and promote the development of new green jobs.

"I look forward to working with the Government on the implementation of these new measures."

ENDS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The plenary session of the Parliament yesterday voted in favour of The energy performance of buildings (recast) - Recommendation for second reading: Silvia-Adriana Ticau: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&reference=A7-2010-0124&language=EN