Europe. The new regulations agreed by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament (EP), requires that from 2020 all buildings built in the European Union must comply with energy saving standards and base much of their consumption on renewable sources.This regulation is part of the European Union's strategy to combat the effects of climate change, as buildings are responsible for 40% of the EU's energy consumption and 36% of polluting emissions.
By 2020, EU countries must ensure that new buildings have a high energy efficiency, and from 2018 public bodies will begin adapting government buildings to the new energy standards.
Additionally, by mid-2011 governments must submit a list of financial initiatives, subsidies or other schemes to generate loans with low interest for the different adaptations that must be carried out in private buildings such as the installation of smart meters or the replacement of heating, water heating and air conditioning systems with energy-efficient equipment.
