BERLIN - Germany on Friday proposed mandatory energy efficiency labelling for buildings and apartments as part of a Europe-wide effort to cut back on energy waste and promote greener alternatives.
The label, similar to those on the front of appliances like fridges sold in the European Union, would give prospective property buyers or tenants information about the energy costs associated with specific buildings.
German ministers won backing from European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs for the plans at a conference in Berlin on Friday. The proposals will be discussed at a meeting next week of Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition cabinet.
"In future, property ads might say not just 'balcony, two rooms, quiet area' but also mention its energy efficiency," Transport, Building and Urban Affairs Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, a Social Democrat (SPD) told reporters.
Energy certificates, giving a clear idea of how much heating and hot water costs will be, should be introduced at the end of this year, Tiefensee said, adding rules for energy efficiency in new or restored buildings would be toughened up in 2008.
The proposals form part of Germany's contribution to a non-binding proposal from the European Union to cut energy use in homes and transport by 20 percent by 2020...
Monday, April 23, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment