The study 'Sustainability and Constraints in the Building Sector under the ZEB Requirements', published by the Energy Policy Group, analyses the zero-emission building (ZEB) standard along with the mandate to calculate and disclose life-cycle global warming potential (GWP) of new buildings, a requirement introduced by the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) recast, in 2024. These provisions, which tackle both operational and embodied emissions, provide a more holistic view of what policies for sustainable buildings and development should achieve.

Drawing on these developments and on the concepts of sustainability and development within planetary boundaries, the report outlines several directions for future policies. These include aligning new construction with national and local carbon budgets, strengthening cross-sectoral planning at the municipal level to support ZEB implementation, addressing demand for new construction through sufficiency-oriented measures, and finally building public and stakeholder acceptance around these measures.