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Directive on Energy performance of buildings
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To increase the energy performance of buildings, the EU has established a legislative framework with two EU Directives. One is dealing with Energy Efficiency in Europe, one more specific on Energy performace of the Buildings. The EU goal is to help member States to achieve an energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050, to encourage investments and help consumers and businesses make more informed choices to save energy and money. On December 2022, the European Parliament adopted the Commission's proposal for amending the Directive 2010/31/EU, which has to be confirmed by EU Council. The amendement concerns the solar energy for buildings. In parallel, on 25 July 2023, the Council of the EU confirmed the agreement with the European Parliament on the new Directive on Energy Savings.

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Two Directives

The two Directives: 

1. Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (EPBD) (amended in 2021)
2. Directive 2012/27/EU on energy ​efficiency - Replaced by a new Directive of 2023

Together, the two directives promote policies for:
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• increasing the energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050
• creating a stable environment for investment decisions
• enabling consumers and businesses to make more informed choices to save energy and money

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Directive amendments in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021

Both directives were amended in 2018 and 2019, as part of the Clean energy for all Europeans package. The Directive amending the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2018/844/EU) introduced new elements and sent a strong political signal on the EU’s commitment to modernise the buildings sector in light of technological improvements and to increase building renovations.

In October 2020, the Commission presented its Renovation wave strategy, as part of the European Green Deal. It contains an action plan with concrete regulatory, financing and enabling measures to boost building renovation. Its objective is to at least double the annual energy renovation rate of buildings by 2030 and to foster deep renovation. A revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is one of its key initiatives. A revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is one of its key initiatives.

In December 2021, the Commission proposed a revision of the directive (COM(2021) 802 final). It upgrades the existing regulatory framework to reflect higher ambitions and more pressing needs in climate and social action, while providing EU countries with the flexibility needed to take into account the differences in the building stock across Europe.

It also sets out how Europe can achieve a zero-emission and fully decarbonised building stock by 2050. The proposed measures will increase the rate of renovation, particularly for the worst-performing buildings in each country. The revised directive will modernise the building stock, making it more resilient and accessible. It will also support better air quality, the digitalisation of energy systems for buildings and the roll-out of infrastructure for sustainable mobility. Crucially, the revised directive facilitates more targeted financing to investments in the building sector, complementing other EU instruments supporting vulnerable consumers and fighting energy poverty.

In order to make sure that buildings are fit for the enhanced climate ambition, as presented in the 2030 Climate Target Plan and reflected in the “Delivering the European Green Deal Package” in July 2021, the Commission’s new proposal aims to contribute to reaching the target of at least -60% emission reductions by 2030 in the building sector in comparison to 2015 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

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 It will work hand in hand with other initiatives of the European Green Deal package, in particular with the review of the proposed new emissions trading system for fuels used in buildings, the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive, as well as the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation.
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The main measures in the new proposal are:

• the gradual introduction of minimum energy performance standards to trigger renovation of the worst performing buildings
• a new standard for new buildings and a more ambitious vision for buildings to be zero-emission
• enhanced long-term renovation strategies, to be renamed national Building Renovation Plans
• increased reliability, quality and digitalisation of Energy Performance Certificates; with energy performance classes to be based on common criteria
• a definition of deep renovation and the introduction of building renovation passports
• modernisation of buildings and their systems, and better energy system integration (for heating, cooling, ventilation, charging of electric vehicles, renewable energy)

​The proposed revision of the directive has been discussed by the Council on 17 January 2023 and the European Paliament adopted the proposal on 14 March 2023.

Goals of the Directive on Energy Performance Building

1. It aims to improve the energy performance of buildings in the EU
2. It sets out minimum requirements and a common framework for calculating energy performance.
3. It was amended in 2021 by Directive (EU) 2021/802 for:

• accelerate the cost-effective renovation of existing buildings and to promote smart technologies in buildings. As part of the Clean Energy package, the revised directive complements legislation on energy efficiency (see below).

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Measures to improve the building stock

The EPBD covers a broad range of policies and supportive measures that will help national EU governments boost energy performance of buildings and improve the existing building stock.

For example:

• EU countries must establish a long-term renovation strategies, aiming at decarbonising the national building stocks by 2050, with indicative milestones for 2030, 2040 and 2050. The strategies should contribute to achieving the national energy and climate plans (NECPs) energy efficiency targets
• EU countries must set cost-optimal minimum energy performance requirements for new buildings, for existing buildings undergoing major renovation, and for the replacement or retrofit of building elements like heating and cooling systems, roofs and walls
• all new buildings must be nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB) from 31 December 2020. Since 31 December 2018, all new public buildings already need to be NZEB
• energy performance certificates must be issued when a building is sold or rented, and inspection schemes for heating and air conditioning systems must be established
• electro-mobility is supported by introducing minimum requirements for car parks over a certain size and other minimum infrastructure for smaller buildings
• an optional European scheme for rating the ‘smart readiness’ of buildings is introduced
• smart technologies are promoted, including through requirements on the installation of building automation and control systems, and on devices that regulate temperature at room level
• health and well-being of building users is addressed, for instance through the consideration of air quality and ventilation
• EU countries must draw up lists of national financial measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings

​In addition to these requirements, under the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU), EU countries must make energy efficient renovations to at least 3% of the total floor area of buildings owned and occupied by central governments. National governments are recommended to only purchase buildings that are highly energy efficient. 
The Commission has also published a series of recommendations on the building renovation (EU)2019/786 and building modernisation (EU)2019/1019 aspects of the new rules.

Energy performance of buildings standards

The Commission has established a set of standards and accompanying technical reports to support the EPBD called the energy performance of buildings standards (EPB standards). These are managed by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). 

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EU Buildings Factsheets
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The factsheets presents the most important features, including indicators and recommendations, in relation to implementation of EU buildings legislation. They also present key statistics, analysis and policy context. The country-specific factsheets also provide a national policy context. 

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Why buildings are important for reducing energy consumption?

​Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of EU energy consumption and 36% of the greenhouse gas emissions.
Buildings are therefore the single largest energy consumer in Europe.
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At present, about 35% of the EU's buildings are over 50 years old and almost 75% of the building stock is energy inefficient. At the same time, only about 1% of the building stock is renovated each year.

Renovation of existing buildings can lead to significant energy savings, as it could reduce the EU’s total energy consumption by 5-6% and lower CO2 emissions by about 5%.

Investments in energy efficiency stimulates the economy, especially the construction industry, which generates about 9% of Europe’s GDP and directly accounts for 18 million direct jobs. SMEs in particular, benefit from a boosted renovation market, as they contribute more than 70% of the value-added in EU’s building sector.