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Belgian Minister launches Moldova visit to dissuade asylum seekers

Belgian Minister launches Moldova visit to dissuade asylum seekers Belgian Minister launches Moldova visit to dissuade asylum seekers
  Belgium’s Minister for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA), will visit Moldova on Sunday as part of a campaign aimed...
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France and Germany collaborate on 30-day ceasefire plan for Ukraine, Macron says

France and Germany collaborate on 30-day ceasefire plan for Ukraine, Macron says   France and Germany collaborate on 30-day ceasefire plan for Ukraine, Macron says
  French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and Germany are working closely to support Ukraine and are actively pursuing a...
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Germany labels far-right AfD party as extremist, earning praise from Jewish leaders

Germany labels far-right AfD party as extremist, earning praise from Jewish leaders Germany labels far-right AfD party as extremist, earning praise from Jewish leaders
  Germany has officially classified the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as an extremist organization, granting intelligence...
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Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred

Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred
  Jordan Bardella, president of France’s far-right National Rally party, has announced he plans to run for president in 2027 if Marine...
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Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community

Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community
After years of declining numbers, the Church of Norway is experiencing a surprising revival. Membership is on the rise, especially among young...
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Border security: MEPs approve gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System

Border security: MEPs approve gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System Border security: MEPs approve gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System
  The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee has given the green light to gradually roll out the new Entry-Exit System (EES)...
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EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns

EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns
The European Commission plans to classify Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia as "safe third countries of origin,"...
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Belgian army launches cybersecurity hub in Bruges

Belgian army launches cybersecurity hub in Bruges Belgian army launches cybersecurity hub in Bruges
  The Belgian army is expanding its cyber capabilities with a new cybersecurity department in Bruges, located on the campus of Howest University...
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MEPs and Ukrainian lawmakers reaffirm commitment to shared European future

MEPs and Ukrainian lawmakers reaffirm commitment to shared European future MEPs and Ukrainian lawmakers reaffirm commitment to shared European future
  In a virtual meeting on Tuesday, senior members of the European Parliament and Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada reiterated their strong support...
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EU to tighten rules on foreign investment screening

EU to tighten rules on foreign investment screening EU to tighten rules on foreign investment screening
  The European Parliament’s International Trade Committee has approved updated rules to strengthen the EU’s approach to screening foreign...
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Belgian Minister launches Moldova visit to dissuade asylum seekers

Belgian Minister launches Moldova visit to dissuade asylum seekers Belgian Minister launches Moldova visit to dissuade asylum seekers
  Belgium’s Minister for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA), will visit Moldova on Sunday as part of a campaign aimed...
Read More...

France and Germany collaborate on 30-day ceasefire plan for Ukraine, Macron says

France and Germany collaborate on 30-day ceasefire plan for Ukraine, Macron says   France and Germany collaborate on 30-day ceasefire plan for Ukraine, Macron says
  French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and Germany are working closely to support Ukraine and are actively pursuing a...
Read More...

Germany labels far-right AfD party as extremist, earning praise from Jewish leaders

Germany labels far-right AfD party as extremist, earning praise from Jewish leaders Germany labels far-right AfD party as extremist, earning praise from Jewish leaders
  Germany has officially classified the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as an extremist organization, granting intelligence...
Read More...

Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred

Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred
  Jordan Bardella, president of France’s far-right National Rally party, has announced he plans to run for president in 2027 if Marine...
Read More...

Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community

Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community
After years of declining numbers, the Church of Norway is experiencing a surprising revival. Membership is on the rise, especially among young...
Read More...

Border security: MEPs approve gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System

Border security: MEPs approve gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System Border security: MEPs approve gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System
  The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee has given the green light to gradually roll out the new Entry-Exit System (EES)...
Read More...

EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns

EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns
The European Commission plans to classify Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia as "safe third countries of origin,"...
Read More...

Belgian army launches cybersecurity hub in Bruges

Belgian army launches cybersecurity hub in Bruges Belgian army launches cybersecurity hub in Bruges
  The Belgian army is expanding its cyber capabilities with a new cybersecurity department in Bruges, located on the campus of Howest University...
Read More...

MEPs and Ukrainian lawmakers reaffirm commitment to shared European future

MEPs and Ukrainian lawmakers reaffirm commitment to shared European future MEPs and Ukrainian lawmakers reaffirm commitment to shared European future
  In a virtual meeting on Tuesday, senior members of the European Parliament and Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada reiterated their strong support...
Read More...

EU to tighten rules on foreign investment screening

EU to tighten rules on foreign investment screening EU to tighten rules on foreign investment screening
  The European Parliament’s International Trade Committee has approved updated rules to strengthen the EU’s approach to screening foreign...
Read More...

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Most Popular Stories

The European Parliament has officially adopted the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which has been dubbed as the EU's new "green building law".

The adoption of the law represents a significant step towards a greener future for one of the biggest sources of emissions in the bloc. The law sets a minimum energy performance standard for buildings and directs EU funding towards renovating the worst-performing buildings in member states. It also includes a framework for Whole Life Carbon (WLC), which aims to cut carbon emissions across all phases of a building's life.

One of the key objectives of the EPBD is to address rising energy poverty rates in Europe, particularly among those living in cold homes with high energy bills. The law aims to tackle this issue by promoting a renovation wave that will benefit millions of Europeans. To ensure that exemptions and extended timelines do not hinder the renovation efforts, the law has set a cap for derogations to be at 22% of the most inefficient homes. This means that a vast majority of homes will be required to meet the minimum energy performance standard set by the law.

The WLC framework is another significant aspect of the EPBD. It calculates and sets targets for reducing carbon emissions across all phases of a building's life, including the construction, use, and demolition phases. This will encourage the use of low-carbon materials and promote better recycling of construction waste, leading to a more sustainable building sector in Europe. The inclusion of the concept of sufficiency in the law is also promising, as it highlights the need to reduce consumption levels and promote resource efficiency.

Despite the progress made in promoting energy-efficient buildings and materials, the EPBD falls short when it comes to renewable heating. The law calls for the phasing out of fossil boilers, but heavy lobbying efforts from the industry have resulted in an exemption that allows fossil fuels to continue to be used in homes under the guise of a hybrid system. If this setback is not addressed in the trilogue or upcoming Ecodesign regulations, it could hinder the transition to a low-carbon future for Europe.

Ensuring an efficient and fair energy transition that provides a decent quality of life for all citizens is crucial for Europe's wellbeing, security, and independence. The ongoing energy crisis serves as a reminder that policymakers must maintain, if not raise, the level of ambition of the EPBD. The adoption of the law is a significant step towards a greener future, but more needs to be done to ensure that Europe is on track to achieve its climate goals.

deneme