The update of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU (EPBD) aims to align the policy with the EU’s increased 2030 emissions reduction target of 55% by reducing the buildings sector’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by 60% compared to 2015 levels. The suite of measures in the proposal includes new EU-wide Minimum Energy Performance Standards, requirements for new buildings to meet a ‘Zero-Emission Building’ standard, and proposals to phase-out fossil fuel heating. Its review under the Green Deal was proposed in October 2020 as part of the EU Renovation Wave communication.
Despite broad support for all key elements of the EPBD review, engagement from the energy and part of the utilities sectors appears to have led to the weakening of measures on fossil fuel boilers and ‘Zero Emission Building’ standards.
Energy and Resource Efficiency
Inactive: completed. The act was signed on 24 April 2024 and published in the Official Journal on 8 May 2024.
Energy and Resource Efficiency
Inactive: completed. The act was signed on 24 April 2024 and published in the Official Journal on 8 May 2024.
In April 2024 proposals for the EU’s 2024-29 Strategic Agenda, the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) advocated that competitiveness and economic growth should be placed at the center of policies. The association also appeared unsupportive of the legislated phaseout of the free allocation of emissions allowances in the EU Emissions Trading System and advocated for a technology neutral approach to the decarbonization of the mobility sector, although it supported the EU Renovation Wave.
Ahead of negotiations to finalize the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, SmartEn has published a position paper on 11th April, strongly supporting ambitious definitions for net-zero buildings and advocating for restricting exemptions for hybrid fossil fuel boilers.
FuelsEurope in a March 2023 joint statement supported weakening the criteria for heating systems that are considered fossil fuel free under the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, as proposed by the EU Parliament committee. This would enable the continued use of boilers running on renewable fuels and other heating systems not using exclusively fossil fuels.
In a joint letter to policymakers, a group of industry associations, including SolarPower Europe and smartEn, supported the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), including the definition of zero-emission building and solar energy requirements in buildings.
A 17th February joint statement from industry associations including Eurogas, Gas Infrastructure Europe, Gas Distributors for Sustainability, and Eurelectric appeared to advocate to weaken the definition for zero-emission buildings in the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The statement advocated against the zero-emission buildings definition being delivered through Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and additional renewable energy capacity, instead calling for existing grid capacity to be utilized.
In a 9th February press release, Hydrogen Europe supported the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) proposal, which weakened initial ambition by enabling hydrogen heating technologies to be included in the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
In a 16th February joint letter, multiple industry associations and companies, including Eurelectric, AVERE, Coca-Cola, IKEA and Uber called for a 100% 2030 zero-emissions purchase target for corporate fleets in the EU, alongside generally supporting ambitious electric vehicle charging targets in the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
In a joint letter to EU Parliament on 17th January, Corporate Leaders Group advocated for an ambitious EU Parliament position on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive ahead of its vote on 6 February.
In a 28th November joint letter, Eurogas, GasNaturally, Gas Distributors for Sustainability, and Gas Infrastructure Europe called for the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to widen its scope and include thermal power technologies, including fossil gas. Alongside this, the groups advocated for greater technological flexibility, and all forms of renewable technologies to be included in the definition of net zero energy buildings.
In a December 6th joint letter, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) and the European Association for Electromobility called on the EU Parliament's Industry (ITRE) Committee to amend the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) by setting ambitious targets for charging solutions on private property following the EU's passing of a 100% CO2 emission reduction target for cars and vans by 2035.
On 26th October, SolarPower Europe published a press release calling for more ambitious rooftop solar requirements in the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
On 19th October, a number of entities including SmartEn, the European Association for Electromobility (AVERE) and SolarPower Europe, published a joint letter to the EU energy ministers and Members of European Parliament, calling for a more ambitious solar mandate for buildings in the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
The table below lists the entities found to be most engaged with the policy. The entities are ranked by performance band. InfluenceMap tracks over 500 companies and 250 industry associations globally. Each entity name links to its full InfluenceMap profile, where the evidence of its engagement can be found.
| Influencemap Performance Band | Organization | Policy Position | Policy Engagement Intensity |
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