Thematic report

Minimum Energy Performance Standards and Trajectories for Progressive Renovation - Status in 2025

Published 13-04-2026

In this first thematic report, written and published by CT1 during CA EPBD 6, the team summarises and analyses the insights, main outcomes and lessons learned regarding the core topic of Minimum Energy Performance Standards and renovation trajectories. The analysis is based on the sessions conducted in the first half of the CA EPBD 6 project.

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for Non-Residential Buildings (Article 9(1))

The report examines how Member States are implementing MEPS for non-residential buildings, requiring that the worst-performing 16% of buildings are renovated by 2030 and the worst-performing 26% by 2033. It explores experiences from different EU countries, covering trigger points (e. g. moment of sale), data sources, enforcement mechanisms and the importance of public and political acceptance.

National Renovation Trajectories for Residential Buildings (Article 9(2))

The report explores how Member States are developing national trajectories to progressively reduce the average primary energy consumption of their residential building stock — targeting at least a 16% reduction by 2030 and 20–22% by 2035. It highlights the wide variation in approaches, methodologies, data sources and the challenge of ensuring that 55% of energy savings come from the worst-performing buildings.

Cross-Cutting Issues: EPCs and Financial Support Frameworks

The report examines two horizontal themes that underpin both areas above:

  • The central role of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in monitoring compliance and tracking renovation progress.
  • The enabling financial framework, including the need for socially differentiated financial support schemes (e. g. zero-interest loans, renovation grants) to ensure vulnerable and low-income households are not disproportionately burdened, alongside EU-level instruments such as the Social Climate Fund.

 

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