RICS: Cyprus taking small steps towards energy efficiency

Cyprus and other EU countries are under threat of significant penalties as a result of non-compliance with the European Energy Performance Building Directive (EPBD) of 2006 and monitoring the energy efficiency of buildings, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Despite the measures taken by Cyprus to combat energy loss and improve energy efficiency in buildings, important shortcomings are still recorded, mainly in the field of sectional staffing and public awareness. RICS said that these are due to a lack of financial motives, inadequate information for long-term benefits, the rise in construction costs, vague provisions in legislation and the lack of energy efficiency surveyors.
From the 13 levels outlined in the 2006 directive, which monitors energy efficiency in buildings and constructions, only two have been issued in Cyprus, with four more under legal scrutiny and seven more pending.
The European Commission recently issued some changes in the 2006 EPBD, such as the removal of the 1000sq.m. limit and the effort for energy performance renovation of existing buildings.
In a recent position paper dealing mainly with energy performance in buildings, RICS stated that the directive modification constitutes an important step for the reduction of energy consumption as well as CO2 emissions in EU countries.
RICS stated that the relevant directive is an important legal aspect of energy consumption reduction efforts in the EU, designed to respond to the Kyoto protocol regarding energy efficiency.
Along with extending the requirement to publicly display energy certificates to a wider number of buildings, the introduction of mandatory random control measures regarding certification and strengthening public information at a national level will go some way to building greater general consumer awareness, RICS said.
Revising the directive means governments and public authorities need to put their own house in order by rolling out energy efficient measures in their own building stock. Implementation of the revision for public buildings will be brought forward to December 31, 2010 as opposed to December 31, 2012 for all other buildings.
“Although the majority of member states have fully implemented the current Directive, EU member states are still facing considerable practical difficulties,” said Ursula Hartenberger, Head of RICS EU Public Affairs. “This is due partly to the fact that the current directive deals with a very complex sector, and also due to vague provisions in the actual legislation. RICS strongly supports the revision of the Directive as it will play a vital role in ensuring clarity, practicality and consumer buy-in for the upcoming political debate. The Commission is taking the right steps into this direction.”