How can Member States implement National Building Renovation Plans and Zero-Emission Buildings under the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive?
National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs) and Zero-Emission Buildings (ZEBs) are among the most important new policy instruments introduced by the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD 2024/1275). Together, they provide the strategic and technical framework needed to accelerate building decarbonisation and support the transition towards a climate-neutral building stock across Europe.
This report examines the policy needs associated with implementing NBRPs and ZEBs in the six focus countries of the EPBD.wise project: Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Ukraine. The analysis draws on extensive desk research, stakeholder consultations, interviews and targeted questionnaires to identify the challenges and enabling conditions required for successful implementation.
For National Building Renovation Plans, the report highlights the importance of reliable building stock data, particularly for the non-residential sector, as a prerequisite for effective planning and decision-making. It also identifies the need for stronger methodologies to define renovation policies, assess investment requirements, mobilise private financing and support the renovation of the worst-performing buildings. Additional priorities include the development of targeted measures for public buildings, the assessment of broader social impacts, including energy poverty, and the preparation of robust renovation trajectories to guide long-term policy implementation.
Regarding Zero-Emission Buildings, the analysis identifies several key policy needs that Member States will need to address when developing national ZEB definitions and implementation frameworks. These include establishing technically and economically feasible requirements; ensuring early engagement with industry and citizens; learning from existing good practices across Europe; defining appropriate indicators and performance metrics; and developing reliable calculation methods for energy performance and Global Warming Potential (GWP).
A common finding across both policy areas is the need for strong evidence-based policymaking supported by high-quality data, clear methodologies and stakeholder engagement throughout the implementation process. The report emphasises that successful implementation will require coordinated action across multiple sectors and governance levels.
As one of the first analytical outputs of the EPBD.wise project, the report provides the foundation for the development of future policy recommendations and implementation guidance. Together with the project’s complementary reports on Energy Performance Certificates, Renovation Passports and Minimum Energy Performance Standards, it contributes to building a comprehensive knowledge base for the effective implementation of the revised EPBD across Europe.
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