The EU’s Revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Implications for the UK

While the UK is no longer an EU bloc member, revised building regulations from the European Union provide valuable considerations for the UK government in its pursuit of the 2050 net zero target. Jane Goddard, Deputy Chief Executive of the Building Research Establishment, discusses the potential impact of these changes.

Despite a rise in populist right-wing parties in the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen’s centre-right European People’s Party remains influential. The new parliament is set to implement ambitious low carbon policies, particularly through the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

The revised EPBD introduces significant changes for both new and existing buildings across the EU’s 27 member countries. These regulations, although not directly applicable to the UK, present important considerations as the UK government works towards its own 2050 net zero target.

Countries like Denmark, France, and the Netherlands have already imposed limits on both embodied and operational carbon emissions for new buildings. The UK has yet to implement such regulations. The revised EPBD mandates that by 2030, all new buildings in the EU must meet regulatory limits for whole-life carbon emissions, reported on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Large new buildings will need to disclose whole-life emissions starting in 2028. The UK could adopt a similar or even more ambitious timeline.

Under the new EU regulations, member countries must identify and improve the least energy-efficient non-domestic buildings, targeting the worst 16% by 2030 and a further 10% by 2033. This phased approach aims to tighten minimum energy standards, addressing the significant energy use in business and public buildings. In England and Wales, the current requirement is a minimum EPC E standard for rented premises, provided the improvements are cost-effective.

The EU is not alone in advancing energy standards for non-domestic buildings. US cities and states, such as New York City, have set long-term performance trajectories for larger business properties. The next UK government must consider whether and how to align with this global trend.

To promote low-carbon heat sources, the EU will prohibit new public funding for stand-alone fossil fuel heating systems, such as gas or oil boilers, starting in 2025. Additionally, the European Commission will develop a new framework for banks to support mortgage lending for retrofitting, facilitating private investment in the low-carbon transition.

While the UK has policies for retrofit financing and information, government-mandated funding through the Energy Company Obligation still supports new gas boilers. The challenge for the UK government is to establish a comprehensive long-term strategic framework for home retrofits, integrating information, financing, and regulatory policies into a unified low-carbon roadmap.

The EU requires member states to have national plans for achieving zero emissions in their building stock. The UK must develop its own roadmap to meet the national net zero target. A white paper on delivering world-leading building standards should be a priority for the next government to ensure the decarbonization of the UK’s built environment by 2050.

The revised EPBD sets a clear path for sustainable building practices in the EU, offering a valuable reference for the UK. By adopting similar or more ambitious measures, the UK can ensure it remains at the forefront of global efforts to create a sustainable built environment.

What the EU’s revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive means for the UK — Inside Housing

Questions and Answers on the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) — European Commission