Policies can be most effectively designed when their impacts are clearly understood. This is especially true in the case of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), a multi-layered law with wide-ranging implications for people and building across the EU.   

Accurate estimation of renovation depth, rates and broader policy impacts has long been limited by the availability, quality and usability of building-related data. To overcome this challenge, the EPBD 2024 significantly strengthens monitoring and reporting requirements related to building renovation, energy performance and decarbonisation.  

The EPBD requires Member States to set up monitoring systems, submit periodic reports and contribute to EU-level evaluations, primarily through national building renovation plans (NBRPs) (Article 3) and databases on the energy performance of buildings (Article 22). It also requires the transfer of information from national energy performance of buildings databases to the EU Building Stock Observatory (Article 22(6)). While this may imply, in some cases, an initial investment in setting up the data and reporting infrastructure, an effective, joined up monitoring, reporting and evaluation system will in the medium and long term reduce efforts and costs.  

This report, written as part of the EPBD.wise project, outlines a monitoring, reporting and evaluation (MRE) framework that builds on the existing requirements of the EPBD and allows for the evaluation of the policies against their objectives, making use of transparent evaluation criteria. 

For example, it illustrates how national databases and data systems can be designed to capture indicators needed to properly evaluate the impact of EPBD provisions once they have been implemented at a national level. This includes tracking the renovation depth and rates, assessing investment needs, and evaluating the performance of individual policy instruments over time.  

The report also shows how Member States can use the flexibility embedded in the EPBD to organise building-related data more effectively. The framework focuses on key policy instruments such as NBRPs, zero-emission buildings (ZEBs), minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), national trajectories for progressive building renovation, renovation passports, and energy performance certificates (EPCs).  

Key takeaways: 

• Agile policymaking: Investing in an integrated MRE framework avoids lock-in effects and allows for flexible adaptations of policies over time. It turns monitoring and reporting from a compliance exercise into a strategic tool for effective policy delivery. 

• Connecting objectives to indicators: A coherent and well-designed MRE framework will enhance data collection, quality and management. 

• Efficient use of data: The national MRE frameworks should make use of existing data sources and databases. EPBD Article 22 should also be implemented in view of improving national MRE. 

• Leveraging digital building logbooks: Digital building logbooks enable bottom-up monitoring by consolidating building-level information e.g. on metered energy consumption, construction materials and renovation.  

• Concerted action: An integrated MRE framework will facilitate policymaking across different governance levels.