Cerame-Unie position on the revision of the EPBD

Energy efficient construction and renovation contribute to people’s well-being and productivity, and help tackling today’s challenges: they create local jobs, contribute to reducing energy poverty and to the fight against climate change. The revision of the EPBD is the opportunity to continue and improve the legal framework for the promotion of energy efficient buildings, taking into account the learning from the last years.

Read our Position Paper

ETS discussed in EP Environment Committee (ENVI)

On 29 Sept, ENVI discussed amendments tabled to MEP Duncan’s (ECR) draft report on ETS review.

MEP Dalli (S&D) replacing MEP Guteland (S&D), opened the debate by confirming that S&D is in favor of increasing the Linear Reduction Factor (LRF) at 2.4% and maintaining the 57% share of auction allowances. MEP Dalli also suggested the ratio should increase in the future: “ETS is a ‘polluter pays’ system and free allocation is only temporary exception to this rule”, she underlined.

MEP Belet (EPP) mentioned his group’s support to the EC proposal to set the LRF at 2.2%. He also proposed a 52% share of auction allowances in order to “give more manoeuvre” for free allowances. “We won’t give free allowances to everyone but to the 10% top performers”, he said.

 

As a next step, the amendments will by voted in ENVI on Dec 8th.

2016 TBE Congress, Luzern

Tiles and bricks executives from across Europe met in Luzern, Switzerland on 23 and 24 June for the 2016 TBE Congress, which was hosted by the Swiss Bricks and Tiles Association, swissbrick.ch.

The Congress started on Thursday 23 June with the Masonry Product Group. Among others a report on the INSYSME project and its progress update was presentedMembers attended the TBE Joint Environmental and Technical Working Group and TBE Roofing Tiles Product Group in the afternoon to gain comprehensive overview of the activities undertaken during the last year. That evening members enjoyed a cocktail and a gala dinner in the picaresque location at the board of the Luzern Lake.

Friday 24 June was dedicated to the TBE Executive Committee and TBE General Assembly.

The TBE General Assembly presented a good occasion to review the last year’s actions and anticipate upcoming activities. Thanks to TBE members, electronic brochures on the advantages of pitched roofs and clay masonry products were implemented at national level and used in meetings with builders and architects and at fairs. Important developments related to the EU climate and energy policy, such as the on-going revision of the post 2020 EU ETS Directive, were debated.

TBE members discussed also the new upcoming activities and challenges for the next year such as the many sustainable construction and technical dossiers, the Circular Economy package as well as the Cumulative Cost Assessment study undertaken for the ceramic industry. 

 

Thank you to this years’ sponsors: SABO and Capaccioli.

MEP MORIN-CHARTIER VISITS FRENCH ROOF TILES COMPANY

On 27 May 2016, French MEP Elisabeth Morin-Chartier met with Cerame-Unie and the French Federation of Roof Tiles and Bricks member Terreal in Roumazières-Loubert, France. The meeting included a visit of the Terreal tiles plant where MEP Morin-Chartier learned about tiles production and innovation in terms of energy efficiency. Moreover, Terreal exchanged views with MEP Morin-Chartier, a member of Employment and Social Affairs Committee at the European Parliament, on important issues for the ceramics industry such as jobs & industries in the European Union, energy efficiency, Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), competitiveness and China’s market economy status (MES). 

INSYSME at IBMAC

The 16th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, the quadrennial event in the field of masonry construction, will take place in Padova, Italy on 26-30 June.

The conference topics focus on challenges, innovations, trends and ideas related to masonry, in both research and building practice. Special sessions will be organised on earthen masonry, bonding of composites to masonry, lime mortars, masonry infill walls and RC frames (INSYSME FP7 project).

For further information and registration visit the conference website.

2016 TBE Congress, Luzern

The 2016 TBE Congress will take place on 23-24 June in Luzern, Switzerland, hosted by the Association of the Swiss Clay Brick and Roofing Tile Industry, swissbrick.ch. Around 100 executives from tiles and bricks companies and associations from all over Europe will meet for two days to discuss such pressing issues as the Emissions Trading Scheme, Construction Products Regulation and Environmental Product Declarations. 

Programme

Thursday, 23 June 2016 (full day)

  • TBE Masonry PG
  • TBE joint Environmental & Technical WG
  • TBE Roof tiles PG
  • Gala dinner

Friday, 24 June 2016 (half day)

  • TBE Executive Committee
  • TBE General Assembly

A programme will be organised for accompanying persons on both days. 


Sponsors

Premium sponsors

BASIC SPONSORS


The TBE Congress is only open to TBE members and sponsors. In case of questions about the Congress or sponsorship opportunities please contact events[at]cerameunie.eu.

Debates on the EU ETS “tiering” proposal

On 4 May the EPP Group hosted a hearing on EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in the European Parliament, following the European Commission (EC) proposal for a revision of the ETS Directive for the fourth period (2021-2030).

MEPs, EC officials, researchers as well as representatives from energy organisations and industries discussed the Innovation Fund, Modernisation Fund, indirect costs and carbon leakage provisions.

The hearing also addressed the France-UK non-paper proposing the so-called “tiered approach”. Energy intensive industries published a statement on 19 April expressing their concerns regarding the “tiered approach” to free allocation under post-2020 EU ETS.

This approach would reserve free allowances for some sectors at the expense of others. The signatories state that the proposed “tiering” has no environmental or economic justification and ask for a framework that gives all sectors equal opportunities to compete and thrive in Europe.