Brussels,

Energy efficient building is the first key objective in the package of the EU Energy Strategy, as energy savings are the easiest way of saving money for consumers and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
Let's see where the EU acts to promote the energy efficiency of buildings to achieve the objectives indicated and the results obtained.

EU Legislation on Energy Efficiency of Buildings

To increase the energy performance of buildings, the EU has established a legislative framework that includes two Directives. Their purpose is to promote policies that help to achieve an energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050, encourage investments and help consumers and businesses make more informed choices to save energy and money.

Buildings' Renovation: EU Strategy

On October 2020, the European Commission launched a new wave of renovation strategy to accelerate the conversion of 200 million buildings in Europe from energy-intensive boxes to near-zero emission structures. Check EU objectives, rules and financial instruments.

Buildings' Renovation: National strategies

All EU countries have to communicate their long-term renovation plans to support the renovation of their national building stock into a highly energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050. 

EU Building Stock Observatory

The EU Building Stock Observatory (BSO) contains a database that provides a better understanding of the energy performance of the building sector through reliable, consistent and comparable data. Check the DataMapper and the Factsheets.

Smart readiness indicator

The Smart readiness indicator (SRI) is a common EU scheme for rating the smart readiness of buildings. Check what EU is doing.

EU Objective: all Zero-Energy buildings by 2050

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive required that all new buildings to be nearly zero-energy, by the end of 2020 and that all new public buildings must be nearly zero-energy by 2018. The new EU legislation foresees that as of 1 January 2030, all new buildings should be zero-emission, as of 1 January 2027 all new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities and by 2050 all existing buildings.

Certificates and inspections

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and inspections of heating and cooling systems are important instruments that help improve the energy performance of buildings with a central role in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
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Financing renovations

Energy efficient building renovations can be expensive and owners may not have the means to finance them. Financial instruments provided by EU governments, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the EU itself can help solve this issue and address financial and investment gaps.