The revised EPBD entered into force in all EU countries on 28 May 2024 and is designed to accelerate the rate of renovation in the EU, particularly targeting the worst-performing buildings in each country.
The EPBD sets out a broad range of policies and supportive measures, requiring Member States to enhance the energy performance of buildings and improve the existing building stock through targeted actions. Key measures include:
- Establishing long-term renovation strategies in line with national energy and climate plans (NECPs) and energy efficiency targets.
- Setting cost-optimal minimum energy performance requirements for new buildings, major renovations, and the replacement or retrofit of building elements such as heating and cooling systems, roofs, and walls.
- Requiring all new buildings to be zero-emission buildings (ZEB) by specified deadlines. Publicly-owned buildings must meet this standard by 1 January 2028, while all other new buildings must comply by 1 January 2030, with some exemptions allowed.
- Mandating the issuance of energy performance certificates (EPCs) when buildings are sold or rented and improving the quality and consistency of EPCs.
- Introducing phased Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for existing buildings. For non-residential buildings, the 16% worst-performing buildings must be renovated by 2030, increasing to 26% by 2033. For residential buildings, each Member State must adopt a national trajectory to reduce their average primary energy use by 16% by 2030 and 20-22% by 2035, ensuring that at least 55% of this reduction comes from renovating the worst-performing buildings.
- Establishing inspection schemes for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems.
- Implementing minimum requirements for parking spaces to support electro-mobility.
- Rolling out the European Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) to assess and promote smart building technologies.
- Promoting smart technologies, including building automation and control systems, to enhance energy management.
- Addressing indoor air quality and well-being considerations through improved ventilation and monitoring.
- Facilitating financial measures to boost energy-efficient renovations and encourage sustainable investments.
- Strengthening safeguards for tenants by requiring Member States to introduce measures preventing ‘renovictions’ (de-facto eviction due to significant rent increases following renovations).
- Establishing national Building Renovation Plans to outline each Member State’s strategy to decarbonise building stock, addressing challenges like financing, workforce training, and skills shortages. A standardised template improves comparability, and draft plans must be submitted to the Commission for assessment by December 2025.
The revised EPBD also introduces a Whole Life Carbon (WLC) framework for the European building sector. It requires Member States to develop Global Warming Potential (GWP) reduction roadmaps and harmonises the methodology for calculating WLC impacts across Europe.
The EPBD remains a cornerstone of EU climate policy, enabling the decarbonisation of the built environment and fostering a sustainable and energy-efficient future.