EU regs for energy-efficient buildings raise questions for commercial property

Organizations with property in the European Union should be asking more questions about their sustainability and emissions in light of revised plans to decarbonize buildings across the region.

Buildings currently cause 40 percent of the EU’s energy consumption and produce 36 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), revisions to which were agreed to by European Parliament earlier this month, sets targets for all new buildings to create zero emissions by 2030.

Existing nonresidential buildings with the highest emissions will need to be renovated, beginning by 2030. Fossil fuel heating and cooling systems will be phased out by 2040, and member states will be expected to install solar power in public and nonresidential buildings, “if technically and economically suitable.”