The report, produced by ENEA within the framework of the EPBD.wise project, provides practical guidance for developing national definitions of zero-emission buildings (ZEBs) in line with the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The document proposes a common calculation framework integrating energy demand, renewable energy supply and operational carbon emissions, while also examining how the ZEB concept relates to existing instruments such as energy performance certificates (EPCs), renovation passports and minimum energy performance standards.

The analysis pays particular attention to the differences between new and existing buildings, underlining that the transition will require differentiated strategies, especially in the renovation sector. It also highlights the importance of building energy flexibility, both on the demand side and in terms of energy generation and storage, as well as the need to define clearly the boundaries between on-site, nearby, and grid-supplied renewable energy.

The report also incorporates the specific circumstances of Bulgaria, Hungary, and Ukraine, where the implementation of future European standards will depend on still uneven technical, regulatory, and economic capacities.