Decarbonising Europe’s building stock is essential to meeting the EU’s climate commitments and achieving a zero-emission building stock by 2050. Adopted in 2024, the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) provides a clear roadmap to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, while safeguarding indoor environmental quality, cost-effectiveness and local conditions.

The EPBD sits at the heart of the EU’s wider Fit for 55 framework and is closely linked to other key legislative instruments, including the Energy Efficiency Directive, Renewable Energy Directive, Electricity Market Design reform, the Social Climate Fund, ETS II and the Effort Sharing Regulation. Together, these policies shape how Europe’s buildings will contribute to climate neutrality.

Residential buildings play a particularly critical role. In 2023, they accounted for around 26% of the EU’s final energy consumption, making their renovation essential not only for climate action, but also for reducing energy poverty, improving housing affordability, and strengthening health and social outcomes.

This report focuses on the implementation of Article 9(2) of the EPBD, which requires Member States to establish a national trajectory for the progressive renovation of the residential building stock. It explores how policy packages can be designed to address worst-performing buildings and protect vulnerable households, ensuring that the transition is fair and inclusive.

About the project

JustReno is providing support for implementing EU building renovation policies in Hungary, Poland, and Romania, ensuring a socially just transition by prioritising worst-performing buildings and vulnerable households. The aim of the project is to strengthen the capacity of policymakers and municipalities in the three countries to implement EU building renovation policies. It helps to identify worst-performing buildings, supports financial planning for energy renovations, and promotes cooperation between local and national governance levels. Through knowledge-sharing events, workshops, and technical assistance, the project ensures that renovation efforts effectively reduce emissions while improving living conditions for vulnerable households. By linking building renovations with Social Climate Plans and local heating strategies, the project facilitates a fair and efficient transition to a low-carbon building sector.