A 270 billion euro bill is on the way for Italian real estate as a consequence of the European Union’s final green light for the green homes directive. This is the estimate of the Unimpresa Study Centre, according to which out of almost 12.5 million total units, there are over 7.6 million (61%) Italian properties classified in the worst energy classes, i.e. F and G, therefore falling among those that , on the basis of the new European rules, will have to be redeveloped, with important investments borne by families and businesses.
The expense is calculated considering an investment that varies, for each property, from 20 thousand euros to 55 thousand euros. “This provision demonstrates how the European Union does not look at overall interests, but very frequently operates on the basis of ideologies. With the result that some countries are advantaged and others, such as Italy, but also Spain, Greece and Portugal, they struggle and pay a very high bill” comments the president of Unimpresa, Giovanna Ferrara.
“We need a rethink, above all we need determination on the part of the Italian parties and those representing the European countries most damaged by the new rules. Governments have two years to implement this EU regulatory madness into their respective systems and in June they will take office, after the elections, the new European Parliament. There is theoretical space, therefore, but it must be filled with the political will to change the rules because this time there is a risk of seriously damaging the Italian economy” adds Ferrara. According to the Unimpresa Study Center, the Italian real estate heritage, largely built before the Second World War, is made up of 12,498,596 units: of these only 137,814 (1.1%) of the total belong to the best energy class that is, the A4; Class A3 includes 138,103 properties (1.1%), while A2 includes 176,377 (1.4%) and A1 225,671 (1.8%). Another 287,994 (2.3%) are in class B, 522,901 (4.2%) are in category C. We then move on to band D which includes 1,269,155 (10.2%) homes, while class E includes 2,118,057 (16.9%). The majority of Italian properties belong to the worst categories, namely F and G, with 3,157,942 (25.3%) units and 4,464,582 (35.7%) units respectively. In essence, 7,622,524 homes equal to 61% of the total, i.e. three out of five.
States will have to reduce energy consumption in: homes (-16% by 2030 and -22% by 2035), public buildings (-16% by 2030 and -26% by 2028), new buildings: zero emissions from 2030 (all with photovoltaic panels), achieving a full energy requalification of all properties by 2050. A plan that could entail an average expense for each property of around 35,000 euros. The range varies from 20,000 euros to 55,000 euros, which is why it is possible to estimate, on a prudential basis, a total expenditure borne by private individuals of approximately 266.7 billion euros in the next 20 years. In more detail, the European “green homes” directive – explains Unimpresa – requires member states to reduce the energy consumption of residential buildings by 16% by 2030 and by 20-22% by 2035. 55% of this reduction will have to be achieved through the renovation of the 43% of the properties with the worst performance. Individual countries will define in their national plans how they intend to achieve this objective. Furthermore, all new residential buildings will have to be carbon neutral from 2030.
To achieve these objectives, the European “green homes” directive defines a common general framework of the methodology for calculating the integrated energy performance of buildings and real estate units and the application of minimum energy performance requirements of new buildings and real estate units. construction and existing.
Some properties are excluded from the interventions and in particular: listed and protected buildings, historic properties, temporary buildings, churches, independent homes with a surface area of less than 50 square metres, holiday homes, i.e. second homes occupied for less than 4 months/year; Furthermore, the possibility of exempting public social housing is also envisaged, if the redevelopment works would increase rents disproportionately compared to the savings achievable in energy bills.
The directive currently does not provide for particular sanctions for those who do not adapt their properties to the new standards within the established times and there are no limitations on the sale or rental of homes for those who do not have the European Union green sticker. However, it is up to individual national governments to decide what sanctions to apply, in addition to the automatic loss of value of properties that do not comply with the regulations.