ICSC launches European Directive support for retail real estate

National governments must introduce ambitious energy efficiency targets following a major review of the 2002 Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) earlier this year by the European Union. The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) has launched a package of support to help retail asset owners and occupiers influence implementation within their countries.

Speaking at a Sustainability Breakfast in Cannes, France during Mapic, Ermine Amies, ICSC Europe's Managing Director who has pioneered EU engagement work for the global shopping centre industry organisation, said: 'In May 2010, the EU adopted a more ambitious text to meet its challenging 2020 climate and energy targets. National governments must introduce these provisions into local law by 2012, but these directives could have huge impact on retail asset owners and occupiers. The directive sets performance requirements for buildings, but currently does not acknowledge that shopping centres, unlike other asset classes, have tenants with widely differing energy requirements, making it much more difficult for landlords to control energy use in their centres. This ICSC support provides key facts, dates and deadlines to help influence national governments.'

The Directive also requires buildings to be upgraded to meet minimum performance requirements whenever they undergo a major renovation. How this is defined will be important in order to avoid the need for expensive efficiency investments every time a shopping centre instigates minor repairs or a mall is painted. The definition of what constitutes a major renovation will therefore be important.

The original EU Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) was adopted in 2002, and required national governments to adopt mandatory minimum energy performance standards and energy performance certification for buildings. The Directive aimed to drive the sector towards more efficient buildings.

The revised EPBD Directive sets out the framework for regulating the energy performance of buildings across the EU, but much of the detail is left to Member States to determine, so implementation at national level will be key in determining how effective the rules will be in encouraging energy efficiency in buildings and will shape the regulatory framework faced by ICSC members in the individual EU Member States.

The 2010 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires national governments to introduce a more robust and ambitious framework including: all new buildings to be ‘nearly zero energy’ by 2020; minimum energy performance requirements for all new buildings and buildings undergoing ‘major’ renovation; Minimum energy performance requirements for all building elements which are retrofitted or replaced; energy Performance Certificates required whenever a building is sold, advertised or leased and member states encouraged to put in place fiscal incentives to encourage investment in energy efficiency

Ermine added: 'As well as providing up to date information on the EPBD directive, ICSC will co-ordinate briefings for all its National Council and Committees on issues identified during the development of the directive so that local implementation is workable.' The ICSC package highlights key opportunities and threats that national implementation could have on retail real estate across Europe, and highlights key areas which ICSC members may wish to raise with national policy makers. Ermine said: 'Given the challenges and costs of developing a ‘nearly zero energy’ shopping centre, it will be important to ensure that the definition of ‘nearly zero energy’ is flexible enough to allow for future development of innovative but affordable retail developments and that it takes into account the energy needs of the different asset classes.'