The "Green Homes Directive" of the European Parliament is an accord made in order to reduce the environmental impact of European construction. All renovation plans from member countries need to be devised by 31 December 2025.
The European Union highlights that buildings are responsible for 40% of the EU's energy consumption and 36% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, with 75% of European buildings currently being energy inefficient. The primary heating sources are natural gas, oil, and coal. In 2021, 42% of energy consumption was attributed to buildings, with households using 80% of their energy for heating, cooling, and hot water. Notably, 85% of buildings in member states were built before 2000, and 75% of these have poor energy performance. The Green Homes Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1275) emphasises the need to reduce energy consumption to cut greenhouse gas emissions and combat energy poverty.
Photo: Dreamstime
Zero Emissions by 2050
The Green Homes Directive aims for ambitious reductions in energy consumption: 16% for residential buildings by 2030 and 20-22% by 2035; 16% for non-residential buildings by 2030 and 26% by 2033. The focus is on improving the energy performance of the worst-performing buildings, with all new buildings required to be zero-emission from 2028, extending to private buildings by 2030. Measures include setting minimum energy performance requirements, phasing out fossil fuels, and installing solar systems on all buildings.
Green renovations
A significant innovation in the directive is the introduction of optional renovation passports by May 29, 2026. These passports provide a tailored roadmap for deep renovation to improve a building's energy performance. The focus will be on the 43% of the most energy-intensive buildings, rather than solely relying on new green buildings.
Obligations and deadlines
New public buildings must be zero-emission by 2028, with existing ones reaching this goal by 2050. All new public and non-residential buildings over 250 square meters must have solar systems by December 31, 2026. By 2029, all new residential buildings and covered parking spaces must have photovoltaic systems. From 2025, boilers running solely on natural gas will no longer be eligible for incentives, aiming for complete elimination by 2040. Exemptions include places of worship, second homes used for less than four months a year, small detached buildings, and buildings of outstanding architectural or historical value.
Energy Performance Certificates
The directive introduces a common scale for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) ranging from A to G, with A representing zero-emission buildings and G indicating the worst-performing buildings. From May 29, 2026, EPCs will include detailed information on energy performance, annual energy consumption, renewable energy production, greenhouse gas emissions, and the building's life-cycle global warming potential.
Source: www.salonemilano.it