Germany pushes for home energy labels

26 April 2007, source edie newsroom

Germany wants to lead the way on home energy labelling

Germany wants to see all European homes labelled according to their energy use as part of the effort to cut the EU's greenhouse gas emissions.

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German ministers suggested compulsory labels for homes across the 27-nation block to bring house buyers' and tenants' attention to the energy costs they will incur once living in the property.

Minister for Transport and Building, Wolfgang Tiefensee, said: "In the future, property ads might say not just 'balcony, two rooms, quiet area' but also mention its energy efficiency."

The call for compulsory energy certificates comes ahead of this summer's deadline for member states to submit national energy efficiency action plans. The EU aims to cut energy use in homes and transport by 20% by 2020.
"The economy and the environment need an appropriate, sustainable framework," said German Minister for Economics and Technology Michael Glos.

"This will not materialise by itself. The Federal Government has thus made the issue of energy efficiency one of the priorities of its EU and G8 Presidencies."

In the UK, energy labels will become compulsory by June - but only for homes put up for sale, not rented properties (see related story).

Goska Romanowicz