How can Member States create the legal and governance conditions needed to successfully implement the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive?
Delivering the ambitious renovation objectives of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires more than technical solutions and financial resources. Effective implementation also depends on robust legal frameworks, sound governance arrangements, and policy instruments that can balance climate objectives with social fairness, legal certainty, and practical feasibility.
This report explores three interconnected legal and governance dimensions critical to the successful implementation of the EPBD across European Union Member States. Through a series of practical case studies, the analysis examines how national authorities can address challenges related to data governance, renovation obligations and financing mechanisms while ensuring compatibility with European and national legal frameworks.
The first case study focuses on national building databases and data governance. It highlights how the EPBD creates an opportunity to move beyond fragmented, document-based approaches towards interoperable, reusable data ecosystems that support monitoring, reporting, and policymaking requirements.
The second case study examines the legal foundations of mandatory renovation obligations and minimum energy performance standards. The analysis demonstrates that ambitious renovation requirements can be compatible with European fundamental rights and national constitutional traditions when appropriate safeguards, proportionality measures and support mechanisms are put in place.
The third case study investigates the financing dimension of deep building renovation. It shows how the revised EPBD transforms renovation finance from a largely discretionary policy area into a central implementation requirement. The report further explains how European competition rules and fiscal frameworks can function as enabling parameters rather than barriers to ambitious renovation programmes.
Taken together, the three case studies provide practical guidance for policymakers and public authorities responsible for transposing and implementing the EPBD. By addressing data governance, property rights considerations and financing structures in a coordinated manner, Member States can create enabling conditions that support higher renovation rates, stronger policy effectiveness and greater legal certainty.
The report concludes with a series of recommendations to support national authorities in developing legally robust and socially balanced implementation frameworks that contribute to the long-term decarbonisation of Europe’s building stock.
Download the Report
