The document by the Buildings Performance Institute Europe analyses how National Building Renovation Plans can more effectively incorporate the 'sufficiency' approach, a concept gaining relevance in the context of decarbonising Europe’s built environment. Although the official template of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) mentions sufficiency, it provides neither a definition nor practical guidance, and this work seeks to fill that gap. Sufficiency proposes making better use of existing buildings to reduce resource use, limit life‑cycle emissions, and respond to real housing and urban quality needs.

The text highlights the underused potential of Europe’s building stock, where empty homes, low-occupancy offices, and mismatches between supply and demand are widespread. Prioritising renovation, change of use, and the reactivation of vacant spaces can ease pressure to build new, reduce public costs, curb urban sprawl, and improve affordability.

It offers examples and policies to guide Member States: from gathering reliable data on vacancies to adapting regulations, simplifying procedures, promoting economic incentives, and encouraging integrated neighbourhood‑scale approaches. It also notes the opportunity to include sufficiency guidance within renovation one‑stop shops.