Within the small nation of Serbia, a movement has sprouted that could spread to many nations across the planet.
The capital city has amended its laws on Spatial Planning and Construction requiring all buildings, regardless of age, must have an energy passport. This document gives owners, buyers, and tenants a clear understanding of the building’s energy consumption and insight into the required repairs and investments needed in the reconstruction of buildings that do not meet City requirements and regulations.
Various energy categories show just how energy-efficient buildings are or are not. 8 classes exist, moving from the lowest grade “G” to the most efficient presented an A+, a building that documents how much savings are made within a building that is most energy efficient, heating and cooling the lived space. These passports are required information for the real estate and developing Sector, shared with owners and tenants alike.
A new building cannot be opened to the public until an approved passport is shown. According to the Deputy Minister of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Dusan Radonjic’s office, privately owned houses also require energy passports while vacation houses and temporary facilities are exempt. Passports are issued after a detailed analysis of the facility, with the price ranging from 100 to several hundred Euros.
Can such an idea pass the mustard within our City Council’s Assembly?
a. City or Municipality Acquires much-needed revenue!
b. Create an environment of energy-saving consciousness within the public and private sectors.
c. Demand that building and construction investments be carried out effectively and in a superior fashion.
d. Energy Grading would be provided to purchasers of homes. Transparency is publicly available at all times.
e. Rooting out areas of the City where buildings are superiorly built, or most energy inefficient.
f. Scaling the best and worst developers, sectors of the City. Energy becomes an Essential Service.
Good things come to those who wait. But mind you not too long. With City Councils knowing the affinity to study long-term before initiating such a plan, what works in the Balkans may never see the light of day in Canada.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
Source: Serbian Housing Ministry, EU Climate Change Monitor
