Under the title ‘Supporting the EPBD implementation: challenges and solutions from policy to practice’, the event brought together voices from the European Commission, Member States, academia, and the property sector. Moderated by Andrei Vladimir Litiu, Executive Director at the EPB Center, it provided a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of play and next steps in the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), one of the cornerstones of the EU’s green transition. 

Watch the recap video and revisit the key insights shared by the speakers (all the experts' presentations are available at the end of this article).

‘Implementation, implementation, implementation’

The discussion emphasised the urgency of implementing the EPBD as a strategic priority for the energy transition in the buildings sector. Nina Neumann, from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER), underlined that ‘the current Commission priority for buildings is the EPBD implementation, implementation, implementation’, highlighting that the focus is now firmly on delivery rather than new legislation.

She pointed to the need to tackle the poor performance of 75% of the EU building stock, with renovations stuck at just 1% annually. Among the Commission’s key tools, she cited the EU Building Stock Observatory, the mobilisation of public and private funding, and support for skills development in the construction sector. Ms Neumann also called for energy efficiency to become a core dimension of affordable housing, which she described as essential for a just and inclusive transition.

In response to questions from the audience, Ms Neumann explained that the Commission provides guidance and templates to help Member States comply with the legislation. She particularly highlighted this guidance, along with funding initiatives such as LIFE CET and other programmes that promote collaboration among national authorities, with the main goal of supporting, rather than sanctioning.

The audience was invited to participate and share their views through several polls during the event. When asked which type of support would be most useful in their country to implement the EPBD, participants selected ‘Funding and financial instruments’ (39%) as the most relevant option, followed by ‘Clearer EU guidance and templates’ (21%), ‘Capacity building and training’ (18%), and ‘Better data and digital tools’ (15%). 

A Member State perspective: lessons from Flanders

Offering insights from the Flemish Region, Marijke De Meulenaer, coordinator of the EPBD 2024 implementation in the Flemish Region, explained how the region is using the recast directive as a driver for coherence among separate frameworks on construction, inspections, and subsidies. She stressed the importance of building on existing systems and ensuring interoperability between systems while focusing on user needs. ‘The EPBD gave momentum to adjust both calculation methodologies and the complete framework, instruments, and software for EPB and EPC’, she said.  

Ms De Meulenaer described eight major projects launched in Flanders, including the national building renovation plan, data improvements, climate system rules, and a renovation passport. She added that the region already applies minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for residential buildings and is extending this work to the non-residential sector, aligning all measures with the long-term 2050 zero-emission target.  

When asked about social safeguards, Marijke explained that Flanders addresses them through income-based measures, such as grants, zero-interest loans, and renovation guidance targeted at low-income households. She noted that subsidies increase as income decreases, and highlighted the role of 20 ‘energy houses,’ which act like one-stop shops focused on supporting vulnerable owners and renters. 
 

Balancing energy, comfort, and health

Turning to indoor environments, Professor Pawel Wargocki, from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), discussed the importance of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and its role in the directive. He approached energy efficiency from a holistic perspective, integrating health and comfort into building design and highlighting the innovative nature of the revision. ‘The revised EPBD is a game changer; the current revision brings the balance between energy and building IEQ’, he said.  

He emphasised that IEQ — covering thermal comfort and air quality — directly affects well-being and productivity. Monitoring and benchmarking, he explained, are essential to ensure that buildings meet both energy and health standards. Digital tools and smart systems, such as Level(s) and TAILS, are key to ‘making the invisible, visible’. 
 

Engaging property owners

Representing the International Union of Property Owners (UIPI), Nataša Vistrička addressed the financial barriers faced by residential property owners. With 70% of EU citizens living in their own homes, she stressed that their engagement is essential to the directive’s success.

Ms Vistrička presented the results of a recent UIPI survey exploring owners’ perspectives on renovation. While 78% of respondents said they were willing to renovate for comfort, cost savings, or higher property value, many still faced limited access to funding, with nearly 40% receiving no financial support.

She also highlighted the crucial role of one-stop shops in guiding homeowners, noting that only 13% are aware of these services. ‘The necessity is to provide guidance, whether financial or technical,’ she concluded.

When asked about the top priority to ensure that the EPBD delivers for building occupants and owners, the audience prioritised ‘Reducing renovation costs for owners’ (38%) and ‘Financial incentives and market readiness’ (35%).
 

The non-residential challenge

Offering the real estate sector’s perspective, Jean-Marie Simon from the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) presented findings from an EPRA–KPMG analysis assessing Member States’ readiness for zero-emission buildings (ZEB) and energy performance certificates (EPC).

The study combined national and EU data, using a point-based system to measure readiness. Results showed that France, Ireland, and Denmark are front-runners for ZEB, while Germany, Italy, and Flanders are transition movers, and Slovakia and Poland are emerging implementers. For EPCs, Ireland and Sweden lead, while most Member States remain in a transitional phase. Mr Simon highlighted a critical gap: no country has yet fully transposed ZEB and EPC requirements into national law or adopted the harmonised rating scale.  

He also underlined the influence of EU financial legislation — such as the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and the EU taxonomy — on future renovation investments.

During the Q&A session, Mr Simon warned of the risks associated with fragmentation and the lack of harmonisation under Article 9 of the EPBD (MEPS), which could create uncertainty among companies and investors.

Conclusion: implementation must be inclusive and people-centred

The event concluded with a clear message: EPBD implementation must be inclusive, practical, and people-centred. Experts agreed that collaboration between public and private actors is essential.  

A closing poll suggested growing confidence in the directive’s successful implementation. The energy transition in buildings is underway, but decisive action is still required to meet long-term goals.  

For further details, all the presentations shared by the experts are attached to this article.

The session marked the beginning of a new, more interactive format for BUILD UP webinars. This format aims to connect practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders through focused discussions and live exchanges. Stay tuned for the next one!