Not mandatory

End of gas heating by 2040 is only a directive

On Tuesday, the EU Parliament passed a directive on buildings that is now causing confusion. It has been repeatedly stated that a mandatory end to gas heating systems by 2040 has been set. In fact, however, this is only a target.

Gas heating systems can therefore continue to be operated and replaced in Austria after 2040 - "and with green gas", the Austrian Association for the Gas and Water Industry (ÖVGW) announced in a press release. Gas heating systems are even supported in combination with solar thermal energy or heat pumps.

The directive only provides for an end to heating with fossil fuels, but without specifying the means (e.g. bans or financial incentives) by which countries should achieve this goal. According to the EU, so-called "green gas" is not considered a fossil fuel.

Plan for renovations needed
The directive also stipulates that EU member states must submit a so-called national building renovation plan every five years. Among other things, this involves the decarbonization of heating and cooling, "also through (...) the gradual phasing out of fossil fuels in heating and cooling (...)."

"It is true that the building sector in the EU should be climate-neutral by 2050. Specifically, emissions must be reduced to zero by 2050 in line with this EU target. Heating and cooling must then no longer cause any CO₂ emissions (...)", said the Association for the Gas and Water Industry (ÖVGW) on Friday.

The directive was adopted by 370 votes to 199. It still has to pass through the Council of Ministers to enter into force. Austria should now approve green gases such as biomethane or green hydrogen for gas heating systems as quickly as possible, the association said.