The European Council has formally adopted the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), setting forth stringent new regulations to reduce energy use and emissions across EU buildings. Mandating that all new buildings achieve zero emissions by 2030 and phasing out fossil fuel use in heating systems by 2040, the directive aligns with the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ roadmap to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels. The updated directive requires all new residential and non-residential buildings to eliminate on-site fossil fuel emissions by 2030, with public buildings meeting this goal by 2028, and outlines ambitious targets for renovating existing buildings to reduce primary energy use significantly by 2035. It also introduces measures to support widespread renovations, including national plans and ‘renovation passports’ to guide building owners, and mandates that all new buildings be solar-ready. Following its adoption, the directive will be signed, published in the Official Journal of the EU, and implemented by member states within two years, as emphasized by EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, who noted the directive’s potential to mobilize finance and enhance construction value chains for a net-zero future.
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