| Ramzi Chamat
Building sanitation and energy management are crucial subjects in the real estate sector, impacting both the healthiness of buildings and environmental protection. Recently, legislative modifications have been made in an unspecified canton, sparking heated debates among different political factions on the issue of building energy efficiency.
Building sanitation is an essential process to maintain the healthiness of buildings and preserve the environment. It involves ensuring that buildings comply with environmental and public health standards. However, the recent modification of the Energy Law in a canton has sparked controversies, highlighting the tensions between ecological imperatives and the interests of property owners.
The right-wing majority in the Grand Council recently voted for a relaxation of the rules related to the energy sanitation of buildings, thus modifying the prevailing Energy Law. This decision aims to reduce the constraints imposed on building owners regarding energy savings, provoking notable opposition from the State Council and the political left, the latter even considering launching a referendum in response to this modification.
Each building, according to the previous law, was subject to a heat expenditure index (IDC), requiring the most energy-consuming buildings to undergo significant renovations to comply with the law within five years. For less energy-consuming buildings, optimization measures were required, affecting, for example, glazing or boilers.
However, with the new version of the law, the IDC calculation system is modified. Renovations are now spread over ten years, and optimization measures are abandoned, although federal aids are preserved. The right justifies these changes by arguing that the canton does not have the means to undergo the desired energy transition and that it is better to revert to the federal system.
The State Council, for its part, sees this vote as a blow to the Climate Plan, favoring large property owners at the expense of the environment. The implications of this decision on energy transition and environmental protection are significant and raise questions about the balance between sustainable development and economic interests.
Building sanitation, beyond political debates, remains a central element of real estate management. Property owners are generally responsible for the sanitation of their properties and must collaborate with local authorities to ensure their buildings comply with sanitation standards. The environmental stakes linked to inadequate sanitation are considerable, potentially leading to environmental pollution and affecting water quality and public health.
The modification of the Energy Law and the relaxation of building energy sanitation rules highlight the existing tensions between environmental objectives and the interests of property owners. As political debates continue, the importance of maintaining high standards in building sanitation and energy management remains paramount to ensure the healthiness of buildings and environmental protection. Future developments, notably the potential referendum and the repercussions of these legislative changes, will be decisive for the future of energy and environmental policy in the concerned canton.
