The European Commission’s new Staff Working Document ‘Supporting life-cycle approaches to decarbonise European buildings’ provides an analysis to support authorities and professionals in decarbonising the building stock through a ‘whole life-cycle carbon’ approach, spanning design, construction, operation, renovation and end-of-life stages. This approach, already embedded in the European regulatory framework, incorporates both operational and embodied emissions, broadening the understanding of the sector’s climate impact.

The analysis shows that emissions from building use remain predominant, reinforcing the importance of energy efficiency and key instruments such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. At the same time, it highlights the growing relevance of emissions associated with materials and new construction, which, despite representing a small share of the stock, generate a disproportionate impact. In this context, the document underlines the potential of renovation, reuse and building conversion, including vacant offices into affordable housing, as key strategies.

Building on the framework of sufficiency, efficiency and renewables, the document outlines a systemic transition combining policy measures, industrial innovation and improved use of the existing stock. This integrated approach supports the transition towards a climate-neutral and more accessible built environment.