Progress towards the implementation of a low carbon economy in the states of the European Union

Abstract

The Spanish situation regarding energy efficiency in buildings has undergone substantial modification reflecting the transposition of European directives in the mood to achieve Community objectives to achieve the level of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings, in stages, from 2018 with 2050 as the final EU target. The current status of implementation of the measures for each country shows that it is difficult to achieve the objective. In some countries, such as Norway and Denmark, the implementation schedule of measures is being fulfilled. There are others, such as Germany and the Netherlands, being conservative in implementing requirements but, in parallel, there is an economic activity, researching and transforming buildings with the criteria to ensure that all citizens can meet the standards. In countries like Spain and most of the states there are differences between the progress of transposition of the regulations and the actual application of it. An analysis of the situation in different states of the European Union will establish the key points on which Spain could act in with a view to a possible revision and improved compliance.