COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 5 February 1979 on the reduction of energy requirements for buildings in the Community (79/167/ECSC, EEC, Euratom)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaties establishing the European Communities,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),

Whereas the Council, in its resolution of 17 December 1974 concerning Community energy policy objectives for 1985 (4) approved the objective of reducing the rate of growth in energy consumption for the Community as a whole to a level of 15 % below the forecasts made in January 1973 ; whereas the Council adopted at the same time a Resolution on a Community action programme for the rational utilization of energy (5);

Whereas at the Council meeting on 6 and 7 July 1978, the Heads of State or of Government of the Member States adopted the objective of reducing to 0 78 the ratio between the rate of increase in energy consumption and the rate of increase in the gross domestic product in the Community by 1985;

Whereas it is estimated that substantial additional energy savings could be obtained by 1985 by investing in improved thermal insulation of buildings, in reductions in unnecessary air changes, and in the improved efficiency of heating and cooling systems;

Whereas such investments will benefit both society as a whole and the parties directly concerned by reducing energy requirements, by contributing to the protection and improvement of the environment, by providing additional employment and by contributing to a reduction in the foreign exchange cost of imports of energy;

Whereas, while some of the benefits may be enjoyed, in the short term, in the form of higher standards of comfort, future price increases for energy will be absorbed with less difficulty by the population and with fewer inflationary pressures provided that the whole of the building stock satisfies relatively high standards of thermal insulation by the end of this century;

Whereas a commitment by all Member States to immediate and full-scale programmes of action is necessary to obtain these benefits;

Whereas a permanent consultation procedure should be established to determine the relative contributions made by Member States' programmes towards the realization of the Community's objectives and to facilitate exchanges of experience, (1)OJ No C 138, 11.6.1977, p. 4. (2)OJ No C 266, 7.11.1977, p. 55. (3)OJ No C 287, 30.11.1977, p. 3. (4)OJ No C 153, 9.7.1975, p. 2. (5)OJ No C 153, 9.7.1975, p. 5.

HEREBY RECOMMENDS THE MEMBER STATES:

1. To pursue, in the context of the programmes referred to in the second subparagraph, policies designed to save energy by reducing energy requirements through the improvement of the thermal efficiency of buildings.

These policies shall be decided in the context of a programme extending over at least four years, which takes account of variations in social, economic and climatic conditions. The implementation of this programme will depend upon the necessities of short-term economic management and the availability of public funds.

Member States, without prejudice to the division of responsibilities between central, federal, regional or local government, shall decide upon the categories of building to include in the programme of action, giving priority to a substantial improvement in buildings under the direct control and management of public authorities and buildings in residential use.

2. To adopt the programmes described in point 1 by 31 December 1979 and to inform the Commission thereof.

The Council shall periodically examine the application of this recommendation ; the first examination shall take place not later than 31 August 1980.

This examination will be based upon a report together with any necessary proposals which the Commission will send to the Council and to the European Parliament. This report will contain a cost-effectiveness analysis of investments aimed at reducing energy requirements for buildings in the Community and an analysis of the relative contributions of Member States' programmes to the realization of the Community's objectives, taking into account standards of comfort.

The Commission will organize appropriate consultations with the Member States within the context of the Energy Committee in order to: - prepare the reports referred to in the preceding subparagraph;

- facilitate exchanges of information on matters relevant to the implementation of this recommendation which could prove helpful to Member States in the application of their programmes.

Done at Brussels, 5 February 1979.

For the Council

The President

P. MEHAIGNERIE