After the approval of green homes directive on the part of the Ecofin Council, we begin to talk about the possible solutions to be adopted to deal with the costs linked to the interventions necessary to implement what is foreseen by the provision. The Minister of Economy himself, Giancarlo Giorgetti, immediately raised the question of who pays. The estimates from the Unimpresa Study Center released immediately after the green light speak of a bill of 270 billion euros for Italian real estate. In light of this, we wonder what the programs and solutions being studied in Italy could be. The plans could involve deductions for high incomes and gods direct state contributions for low incomes.
Green homes, possible bonuses in sight?
The Minister of the Environment and Energy Security offered the very first indications, Gilberto Pichetto Fratininterviewed by Corriere della Sera following the approval of the Green Homes Directive (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, EPBD).
The Minister of the Environment, recalling the experience described as “disastrous” with the 110 percent super bonus, explained that “whatever is possible and compatible with public finances” will be done. Then going into the specifics of possible tools to usePichetto Fratin spoke about tax tools for taxpayers who have high incomestherefore a deduction with a rate to be defined, and a possible direct state contribution for those with low incomes; while for public buildings he mentioned the possibility of involving the ESCOs, companies that finance the interventions and for a while energy savings are maintained, and of using the thermal account of the Energy Services Manager (GSE).
The Environment Minister then underlined the need to give incentives “to the things that are needed: heat pumps, coats, double glazing. And to photovoltaics, which in any case produces significant savings.”
During the interview given to Corriere della Sera, Pichetto Fratin also stated that “the government fully shares the decarbonisation objectives”, adding: “We know that buildings are one of the main causes of CO2 emissions and that we must intervene. We will get to work on the National Building Renovation Plan envisaged by the European directive, but we will do so by looking at the final European objectives for 2050 on climate change”. Regarding the intermediate objectives of 2030 and 2033, the Environment Minister said: “We will also try to stay within those objectives but, although the text of the directive has improved, we must be realistic. For us these are difficult objectives, indeed, let’s even say impossible.”
Green homes, what the directive provides
There green homes directive definitively approved by the Ecofin Council provides for zero emissions from 2030 for i new residential buildings; zero emissions from 2028 for i new non-residential buildings; a reduction in average primary energy used by at least 16% by 2030 and by at least 20-22% by 2035 for non-newly constructed residential buildings; the restructuring of 16% of worst performing non-residential buildings by 2030 and 26% by 2033. The ultimate goal is to have a zero-emission building stock by 2050.
As for the solar panelsnew public buildings will have the obligation to install them and this obligation will be progressive from 2026 to 2030. National strategies, policies and measures must also be put in place for installation in residential buildings.
As regards the gas boilersincentives for autonomous fossil fuel boilers will be abolished from 2025 and countries will have to abandon fossil fuel boilers by 2040.
From the entry into force of the directive, member countries will have two years to implement the provision and to present their plans to Brussels indicating how they want to achieve the objectives set.
Green homes, what are the costs
In terms of costs, according to estimates from the European Commission by 2030, 275 billion euros of annual investments will be needed to achieve the objectives. No dedicated funding is provided for individual countries, but it will be possible to draw on EU funds, such as the Social Climate Fund, the Recovery Fund and the Regional Development Funds.
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