The EPBD is the EU’s primary law governing the sustainability of buildings. It aims to achieve a fully decarbonised building stock by 2050.
Buildings are the single largest energy consumer in Europe. The building sector is therefore crucial to achieving the EU’s energy and climate goals.
To boost the energy performance of buildings, the EU has established a legislative framework that includes the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275) and the revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EU/2023/1791).
Member States have until May 2026 to transpose the provisions of the updated EPBD.
To support Member States, WorldGBC is working together with our Europe Regional Network of GBCs and partners to support national governments, EU policymakers, and the building and construction industry with the implementation of the EPDB.
This includes guidance and best practice examples for Member States to follow.
These tools support #BuildingLife, which aims to drive public and private sector action to tackle the whole life carbon impact of buildings and put sustainable buildings at the heart of a prosperous and equitable future for Europe.
Our briefing provides recommendations for national governments in the EU on introducing life cycle global warming potential (GWP) policy measures for buildings – also known as ‘whole life carbon’ (WLC).
Also included are recommendations for the European Commission in its role overseeing and guiding this transition.
The briefing covers:
The WorldGBC EPBD implementation factsheets provide guidance and actions on two key measures introduced to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in May 2024: Life Cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
Our case study reports examine select EPBD-compliant measures already in action in several areas of Europe. We detail the approaches including:
The reports cover Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for buildings, and different approaches to life cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Countries and regions explored include Denmark, Flanders, London, the Netherlands, Sweden and France.
The reports reflect on lessons learned so far with the aim of helping others develop their own successful schemes.
The EU Taxonomy is an important tool to help validate activities that represent an ambitious standard of sustainability. But, in the building and construction sector, it is in danger of lagging behind.
See our recommendations for the European Commission on how to better integrate life cycle global warming potential (GWP) requirements for new buildings in line with the 2024 revision to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).