The package focuses on three areas:

- 20% cut in emissions of green house gases by 2020, compared with 1990 levels;

- a 20% increase in the share of renewables in the energy mix; and

- a 20% cut in energy consumption.

In November 2008 The European Commission proposed a wide-ranging energy efficiency package which gives a new boost to energy security in Europe, supporting the 20-20-20 climate change. The proposal for a directive on the energy performance of buildings was presented as part of this package (EPBD recast). The recast provides an opportunity to tackle existing market barriers and to set ambitious targets for upgrading the energy efficiency of Europe’s building stock. The European Parliament in 2009 voted in favour on the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

The aim of improved energy efficiency has been set out in earlier existing legal instruments. Among the main Community legislation for the sector are the Boiler Directive (92/42/EEC), the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC) and the buildings provisions in the SAVE Directive (93/76/EEC). The Directive on the energy performance of buildings in force since January 2003 builds on those measures with the aim to provide for an ambitious step-ahead to increase the energy performance of public, commercial and private buildings in all Member States.”
© European Communities

Source: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/buildings_en.htm

Relevant directives:

	Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on energy end-use efficiency and energy services OJ L 114, 27.4.2006, p. 64–85 Dates: of document: 05/04/2006 of effect: 17/05/2006; Entry into force Date pub. + 20 See Art 3; of transposition: 17/05/2008; At the latest (See Art 18)
	Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 65–71 Dates: of document: 16/12/2002; of effect: 04/01/2003; Entry into force Date pub. See Art 16; of transposition: 04/01/2006, at the latest (See Art 15)
	Council Directive 93/76/EEC of 13 September 1993 to limit carbon dioxide emissions by improving energy efficiency (SAVE) OJ L 237, 22.9.1993, p. 28–30 Dates: of document: 13/09/1993; of notification: 23/09/1993; of effect: 23/09/1993; Entry into force Date notif.; of transposition: 31/12/1994, at the latest (See Art 10)
	Council Directive 92/42/EEC of 21 May 1992 on efficiency requirements for new hot-water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels OJ L 167, 22.6.1992, p. 17–28 Dates: of document: 21/05/1992; of notification: 03/06/1992; of effect: 03/06/1992; Entry into force Date notif.; of transposition: 31/12/1992, at the latest (See Art 9)
	Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products OJ L 40, 11.2.1989, p. 12–26 Dates: of document: 21/12/1988; of notification: 27/12/1988; of effect: 27/12/1988; Entry into force Date notif.; of transposition: 27/06/1991 (See Art 22)
	Council Directive 93/68/EEC of 22 July 1993 amending Directives 87/404/EEC (simple pressure vessels), 88/378/EEC (safety of toys), 89/106/EEC (construction products), 89/336/EEC (electromagnetic compatibility), 89/392/EEC (machinery), 89/686/EEC (personal protective equipment), 90/384/EEC (non-automatic weighing instruments), 90/385/EEC (active implantable medicinal devices), 90/396/EEC (appliances burning gaseous fuels), 91/263/EEC (telecommunications terminal equipment), 92/42/EEC (new hot-water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels) and 73/23/EEC (electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits) OJ L 220, 30.8.1993, p. 1–22 Dates: of document: 22/07/1993; of notification: 02/08/1993; of effect: 02/08/1993; Entry into force Date notif.; of transposition: 01/07/1994 (See Art 14) For more information on EU legislation please consult EUR-Lex: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm