In a bid to enhance the precision of sustainable investments, Glass for Europe advocates for further refinement of the EU taxonomy criteria, specifically addressing windows.
Glass for Europe, a leading association in the flat glass sector, has actively contributed to the Stakeholder Request Mechanism on the EU Taxonomy initiated by the Platform on Sustainable Finance and the European Commission. Launched on December 15, the EU taxonomy serves as a classification system, offering clarity on environmentally sustainable activities and conditions. While pleased with the inclusion of windows as part of “energy efficiency equipment for buildings,” Glass for Europe expresses regret over the establishment of a single U-value of 1.0 W/m2K for the entire EU. This uniform U-value fails to consider varying climatic conditions, essential for determining the most carbon-efficient windows for different regions.
In its contribution, Glass for Europe emphasizes the need to adapt the U-value based on the geographic zones outlined by the European Commission. These zones include the Mediterranean, Oceanic, Continental, and Nordic regions. The proposal suggests different U-values for each region: 1.4 W/m2K for Mediterranean and Oceanic, 1.0 W/m2K for Continental, and 0.9 W/m2K for Nordic. Such adjustments would enable manufacturers to produce high-energy performance products tailored to specific local markets. Additionally, the paper stresses the significance of the g-value (solar energy transmittance) in evaluating window performance, considering factors like solar control and heat reduction. These refinements align with the EU taxonomy’s goals, supporting the EU Renovation Wave strategy and the decarbonization of the EU building stock.
Submitted requests are set to undergo processing by the Platform’s Technical Working Group in the coming months.
Source: Glass for Europe with additional information added by GlassBalkan