<b>The European Challenge: Energy efficiency in buildings. The new EU Directive 2010/31</b> <br> doi:10.5007/2177-7055.2011v32n62p55

Abstract

The new European Directive 2010/31 is trying to achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions bellow 1990 levels, and by 30% in the event of an international agreement being. The E.U. has a major goal to reduce our oil dependency and use more renewable energy, especially in buildings where 40% of the total energy consumption takes place. The Directive wants to establish a plan to achieve our goal to completely reduce the use of energy in buildings by 2020. The new buildings occupied and owned by public authorities must comply with the proposed regulation by 2018 to serve as an example to the private sector. By increasing renewable energy sources the goal is to reduce the Greenhouse effect since we are already noticing it in our daily lives and continuing being the global and multilateral engine of the policies against the Climate Change.