Photo by D koi on Unsplash
Author: Sara Gremi
The new EPBD IV, also known as the Green Homes Directive, has received final approval. Following the provisional political agreement on the revision reached between the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union on December 7, 2023—and validated by the ITRE Committee (Industry, Research, Telecommunications, and Energy) on January 15, 2024, the agreement was debated and approved during the Parliament’s plenary session on March 12, 2024.
The Green Buildings Directive is the most recent EU legislation aimed at regulating energy efficiency in the EU’s building sector and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 (Learn more about decarbonization processes)
Over the years, this Directive has undergone several amendments, making a fundamental revision of it essential, especially in light of the most recent EU objectives introduced by the “Fit for 55” program and the “Renovation Wave” initiative.
This article aims to summarize the latest changes made to the text approved by Parliament on March 14.
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The Contents of the Review
Compared to the initially planned timeline, the rewrite of the Green Buildings Directive appears to have struck a compromise between Brussels’ initial positions and the demands of those member states most reluctant to accept the proposed energy retrofit requirements. In fact, while requiring a significant effort to renovate the existing building stock and infrastructure, the new framework sets deadlines that are considered more sustainable and pragmatic, while also embracing a diverse range of technological solutions.
Specifically, the main provisions of the revision, which has now been definitively approved, concern: the introduction of new zero-emission buildings starting in 2028 for public buildings; the gradual improvement of the energy efficiency of existing buildings with interim targets by 2030 and by 2035; the requirement to install solar thermal and photovoltaic panels on specific categories of buildings, and the phased elimination of gas-fired boilers, with the goal of making the building sector climate-neutral by 2050.
Furthermore, one of the most significant aspects of EPBD IV concerns the establishment of a cumulative, non-binding national target—rather than a target for individual buildings—which allows each Member State to implement more flexible renovation plans and focus its efforts on buildings and districts that are easier to modernize.
New Zero-Emission Buildings (ZEB)
Newly constructed public buildings must be zero-emission starting in 2028, while for new private residential buildings, this deadline is extended to 2030. Compared to the proposal in the initial draft, these deadlines have been extended by two years. On the other hand, for existing buildings, compliance with ZEB efficiency standards has been postponed to 2050, with interim performance targets.
Renovation of Existing Buildings
With regard to residential buildings, Member States are required to retrofit at least 16% of the buildings with the poorest energy performance (identified on the basis of a national strategy) by 2030 and at least 20–22% by 2035. Nonresidential buildings with poor energy performance, on the other hand, must be retrofitted at a rate of at least 16% by 2030 and at least 26% by 2033.
Requirement to Install Solar Systems
With regard to the installation of solar systems, an agreement has been reached on making such systems mandatory according to the following timeline:
- by 2026, on all new public and nonresidential buildings with a usable floor area exceeding 250 square meters;
- by 2027, in all existing public buildings with a usable floor area of more than 2,000 square meters;
- by 2028, on all existing public buildings with a usable floor area greater than 750 square meters;
- by 2030, on all existing public buildings with a usable floor area of more than 250 square meters;
- by 2027, on all existing nonresidential buildings with a usable floor area exceeding 500 square meters where the building undergoes a renovation requiring a major administrative permit;
- by 2029, on all newly constructed residential buildings and all new covered parking structures physically adjacent to those buildings.
The installation of these systems must take place gradually, and the actual technical feasibility of the project and the resulting economic benefits must be demonstrated.
Elimination of Gas Boilers
The Green Buildings Directive requires Member States to adopt measures to decarbonize heating systems, promoting the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels by 2040 (in the previous version, the deadline was set for 2035), by which time renewable energy sources such as biomethane or green hydrogen are expected to be available on a larger scale within distribution networks.
In addition, starting in 2025, Member States will no longer be allowed to provide incentives for the installation of new fossil-fuel-fired boilers; however, hybrid heating systems that combine innovative and cutting-edge technologies will be encouraged.
Finally, it is important to note that these provisions will not apply to those who already have a gas boiler in their home, but will apply exclusively to new installations.
