The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) entered into force in 2024 and marked a significant milestone in the European Union's push towards decarbonization. As the construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of total energy consumption and over 1/3 of CO₂ emissions in the EU*, the Directive brings crucial updates to accelerate energy efficiency and sustainability. But what exactly is changing, and how will it impact industry professionals such as developers, architects, and engineers?

Key changes in the new EPBD

Overall, this new framework raises the bar for both new and renovated buildings, aiming for a future where all buildings are zero-emission by 2050. This means more stringent requirements for energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and overall carbon footprint reduction. It's important to note that, now that the European Commission's proposal has been adopted by the European Parliament, each Member State will have to transpose the directive's requirements into national laws, taking into consideration existing legislative context. For instance, France's RE2020 legislation is already fit with the EPBD.

1. Stronger requirements for the calculation of whole life-cycle carbon for new buildings

   The revised EPBD mandates a greater focus on the entire lifecycle emissions of buildings, requiring new buildings to be zero-emission and mandating calculation of whole life-cycle carbon. This means a shift from only considering operational energy performance to integrating embodied carbon calculations - an area where tools like Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) become indispensable.

2. Introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards

   To tackle the issue of underperforming buildings, the EPBD introduces minimum energy performance standards, for non-residential buildings, based on national thresholds that will progressively tighten over time. Existing buildings will need to undergo renovations to meet these standards, pushing the industry toward more sustainable retrofitting solutions.

3. Greater transparency and data collection

   The directive encourages data collection and sharing, to improve knowledge on the building stock and awareness on energy consumption in buildings, paving the way for increased standardization in reporting and monitoring carbon footprints. Similarly, the Energy Performance Certificates will be based on common criteria to increase their reliability, quality and digitalisation.

Practical implications for industry professionals

With these changes, construction professionals face both challenges and opportunities.

• Architects and engineers will need to integrate LCAs early in the design phase to ensure compliance with evolving carbon regulations.
• Developers and asset managers must adapt their strategies to align with Minimum Energy Performance Standards and whole-life carbon reporting, ensuring long-term asset value and regulatory compliance.
• Policy and sustainability teams will need to stay ahead of national implementations of the EPBD, as Member States will have flexibility in applying these measures.

The role of LCA and digital solutions in navigating the EPBD

Given the increasing emphasis on whole-life carbon assessments, the ability to accurately quantify and optimize emissions is becoming a competitive advantage. This is where digital solutions like Vizcab come into play. By leveraging data-driven LCA tools, professionals can streamline compliance, assess environmental impact, and make informed decisions that align with EPBD requirements.

As the industry adapts to these new regulations, embracing digital innovation and robust carbon assessment methodologies will be key to turning compliance into an opportunity for growth and leadership in sustainable construction.

Are you looking to anticipate EPBD changes and optimize your carbon strategy? Discover how Vizcab’s LCA solutions can help you stay ahead.

*https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en