Nine EU countries, including Poland and Italy, are facing sanctions from the European Commission for failing to submit renovation plans aimed at ensuring buildings are emission-free by 2050.
Under the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275), which aims for a ‘decarbonised building stock’ by the middle of the century, the Commission gave EU Member States until 31 December 2025 to submit national renovation plans, writes Corriere della Sera.
Six months ago, the EU launched infringement proceedings against the one-third of Member States that had failed to meet the deadline, and the Commission is now threatening Italy, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Malta with sanctions and legal action before the Court of Justice of the European Union if they do not submit their plans within two months.
Paolo Borchia, who represents the Italian ruling party Lega in the European Parliament, is calling on the Meloni government to reject the Commission’s order, reports ANSA. Brussels is placing costs and obligations on the shoulders of families who are already struggling due to the energy crisis, Borchia told the Italian news agency.
“It is no coincidence that a third of the countries have still not implemented the National Renovation Plan. Homes are not toys in the hands of European bureaucrats, but the result of sacrifices, hard work and savings made by millions of families.”
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive forms part of Norwegian law through the EEA Agreement.
