Rethinking building envelopes: adaptive façades for low‑energy, climate‑responsive buildings
Adaptive façades, including opaque systems such as ZERAF (ZERo-carbon building enabling Adaptive opaque Facade technology), are reshaping building design by reducing energy demand and enhancing resilience through the intelligent use of natural climate resources.
Sustainable Places 2026
Sustainable Places 2026, organised by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and R2M Solution, will take place from 2–4 December in Luxembourg. The first winter edition brings together EU projects, researchers, and industry to advance sustainability in the built environment.
Greenpeace Belgium headquarters
The refurbishment of Greenpeace Belgium’s headquarters illustrates how strategies based on simplicity, reuse, and user-centred design can reduce energy impacts without relying solely on complex technologies, proposing a replicable approach for sustainable office buildings.
How to prepare a greenhouse gas emission inventory
A new manual from the Joint Research Centre guides European municipalities in the preparation of rigorous and comparable emission inventories, a key component for designing and assessing local energy and climate plans.
Financing for efficiency: a European overview
At a roundtable held in February 2026 with European institutions, financial bodies and industry representatives, the Commission underlined the urgency of closing the investment gap in energy efficiency as a strategic pillar for climate action, competitiveness and cohesion.
Sustainability and Constraints in the Building Sector under the ZEB Requirements
The study examines the zero-emission building (ZEB) standard and life-cycle carbon reporting for new buildings under EPBD recast, and provides recommendations for supporting policies and cross-sectoral measures to achieving a sustainable, highly efficient, and decarbonised built environment.
EASI ZERo project
EASI ZERo develops bio-based and recycled construction materials to cut buildings’ CO₂ emissions and energy use. The system delivers high thermal performance, easy installation and circular economy benefits, supporting the EU’s Renovation Wave for near-zero-energy buildings.
Financing energy efficiency: a new European push
The European Commission is strengthening the role of financing in the energy transition, proposing new tools to mobilise investment and overcome the barriers that are slowing down building renovation in the EU.
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/536: practical guidance on one-stop shop services for energy efficiency and the energy performance of buildings
The EU is promoting one-stop shops as a key instrument to accelerate energy renovation, simplify processes and mobilise investment, particularly among vulnerable households and small businesses.
Healthy Buildings, Healthy Lives: Understanding citizens’ perceptions across Europe
A new survey across six European countries presents citizens’ perceptions of indoor conditions, resilience to climate extremes, and priorities for healthier buildings.