Minimum standards for every house
Construction Minister wants to prevent EU obligation to renovate
September 17, 2023, 9:45 a.m
Federal Building Minister Geywitz does not consider certain energy standards to be useful for every house. The EU’s far-reaching restructuring plans are therefore a thorn in its side. It will therefore be uncomfortable for Geywitz in winter.
Federal Construction Minister Klara Geywitz wants to stop the EU plans for strict renovation requirements for houses. “I am very critical of the tightening of the building efficiency directive that the EU Parliament is demanding,” said the SPD politician to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. As a result, there would be an obligation to renovate all buildings that do not meet certain energy standards. “I reject that.”
Geywitz said that a renovation would be “a huge act that we are not legally allowed to force.” That’s why she says no to minimum standard obligations for every house, without looking at who lives in it, who owns it and how long it can still be used.
It is also not true that investing in insulation is always worthwhile and that the value of the house will automatically increase. “The money would possibly be lost because the house simply cannot be sold at a high profit.” Some post-war houses are small, built with outdated materials and may simply be demolished at some point.
“We don’t have to rush into every little house”
The Social Democrat said that instead of the restructuring obligation from Brussels, the national restructuring plans were completely sufficient. Schools, sports facilities and administrative buildings would also be brought into shape, thus massively saving CO2. “We really don’t have to throw ourselves into every little house to protect the climate.”
Before the summer break, the EU Parliament voted on tightening the EU Efficiency Directive. The EU Commission also supports strict requirements. Negotiations with the EU member states are now starting in Brussels – an agreement is aimed for in the winter.