EU policy models for reducing whole-life carbon of buildings

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of operational energy have been regulated across the EU since the introduction of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

However, the current EPBD does not regulate the full carbon footprint (whole-life carbon) of buildings and disregards embodied carbon emissions in the phases of material production, construction, renovation and demolition.

Addressing the gap in regulation
This project – implemented by Ramboll and KU Leuven and financed by the European Climate Foundation – addresses this gap in regulation by developing a proposal for EU whole-life carbon legislation that will set the European building stock on a path to climate neutrality.

In the context of the EPBD revision, in which whole-life carbon regulation is proposed, this work can contribute to defining the scope, ambition, and timeline for reducing the climate impact of the full building life cycle.