The European Commission has confirmed final adoption of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), setting a framework for member states to reduce emissions and energy use in buildings across the EU. First introduced as part of the European Commission’s Fit for 55 (Ff55) raft of decarbonisation measures in 2021, the EPBD requires each member state to adopt its own national trajectory to reduce average primary energy use in residential buildings by 16% by 2030, and by 20-22% by 2035. In addition, each country will need to renovate its 16% worst-performing non-residential buildings by 2030, and 26% by 2033. Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of the EU’s energy consumption – more than half of the EU’s gas consumption, and 35% of its energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. The commission said it hoped the directive would boost demand for clean technologies made in Europe, as well as create jobs, investment and growth. “We want to help people make their homes more energy-efficient, more comfortable and healthier,” said Maroš Šefčovič, EU Commission Executive Vice-president for the European Green Deal. “This revised directive is a win-win for citizens: improving the energy performance of buildings will result in both lower energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.”
Improving the energy performance of buildings is vital for reaching climate-neutrality and benefiting our citizens.
We welcome the adoption of the strengthened Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to reduce emissions and energy use in buildings across the EU.#EUGreenDeal
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) April 12, 2024
