The EU has reached a political agreement to revamp the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), aiming for a climate-neutral building stock by 2050. Fossil fuel boilers will be phased out by 2040, with subsidies cut from 2025. New residential buildings must have solar rooftops by 2030, and all buildings must be zero-emission by 2030 or 2028 for public authorities.

The EPBD, initially proposing mandatory renovation targets, now relies on benchmark averages for each country. The directive faces criticism for diluting residential building requirements, softening fossil heater phase-out, and lacking harmonisation of energy performance certificates across regions.

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