The revision of the EPBD broadens the focus from energy efficiency to indoor environmental quality, placing ventilation and people’s health at the centre of the transformation of Europe’s building stock.
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), adopted in 2002, is a cornerstone of European climate policy. It established a common framework to improve energy efficiency and was strengthened in 2010 and 2018 with measures such as nearly zero-energy buildings and a stronger push for renovation. Even so, its impact has been limited within an ageing and largely inefficient building stock.
The 2024 revision raises ambition towards a zero-emission building stock by 2050, reinforcing the integration of renewable energy, the gradual phase-out of fossil-based systems, and a more structured approach to renovation planning. In this context, it also introduces a significant shift by incorporating indoor environmental quality as an explicit regulatory objective alongside energy efficiency.
The new framework strengthens the role of ventilation, indoor air monitoring, and smart control systems in both new and renovated buildings, particularly zero-emission ones. Key measures include the installation of sensors to monitor CO₂ and particulate matter, the deployment of demand-controlled ventilation, and the integration of automation systems capable of managing environmental parameters in real time. In addition, the directive links these measures to national renovation strategies and the development of smart building standards, consolidating a more integrated approach to building performance.
