A call for action
To make healthy and sustainable buildings the norm for people throughout Europe, ten policy gaps need to be addressed and closed.
This can be achieved using the ten policy recommendations described below. These recommendations include information on the level of implementation needed, the stakeholders involved in different building stages, and the time horizon for closing the gap.
An opportunity for progress
The national implementation of the EPBD recast represents a concrete opportunity to introduce holistic building measures and requirements that simultaneously consider energy, decarbonisation and social parameters.
Policy gaps and recommendations
Short-term actions - 2030
In the short term, immediate actions need to be taken to track progress towards the EU building stock performance goals for climate neutrality. This includes ramping up data collection efforts and implementing regulations to improve energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Investments in renovations and measures to decrease household energy expenditure are necessary to get back on track towards the ambitious climate neutrality target.
1
Coherent policy framework
2
Weak legislation
3
Defining Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
4
Automation of building components
5
Climate-responsive buildings
6
Low-carbon options
Photo: Adam MørkPolicy gaps and recommendations
Medium-term actions - 2040
In the medium term, policy recommendations must be implemented to address the identified gaps in achieving healthy buildings aligned with the decarbonisation goal of the Paris Agreement. The implementation of holistic building measures under the EPBD recast is crucial to consider energy, decarbonisation, and social parameters simultaneously. Stakeholders need to collaborate and take coordinated actions to ensure that the recommendations are achieved on time to meet the long-term climate targets.
7
Capacity building
8
Biodiversity preservation
9
Community support schemes
Long-term actions - 2050
In the long term, the HBB framework must be utilised to monitor the progress of healthy buildings across the EU. Improvements in data availability, quality, and completeness are essential to accurately assess the status of building performance. Policymakers and stakeholders in the building industry must work together to apply the HBB effectively and ensure that all the recommended actions are taken to reach the ultimate goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
10
Participatory design
