As part of the Fit for 55 legislative package, the European Commission proposed a recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in December 2021. The proposal introduces a new policy to boost renovation of existing buildings across the European Union: ­minimum energy performance standards (MEPS). MEPS require selected existing buildings to meet a minimum level of energy performance by a future date or trigger point in the building lifecycle, for example at the time of sale or rent. As a next step, EU legislators – the European Parliament and the Council of the EU – have to agree on a common design of the EU framework. Boosting building renovation this decade is vital to meet the EU’s climate goals and to reduce reliance on Russian gas. Renovating the worst-performing buildings is also a key strategy to alleviate energy poverty.

RAP’s Louise Sunderland analysed the negotiations already undertaken on this policy as of 4 May 2023, to assess the key factors in each of the negotiators’ texts: the main design features, the impact and the contribution to the 2030 climate target. She identifies the important issues and options for decision-makers who are looking to introduce a workable MEPS framework, to deliver on the goals of the Renovation Wave Strategy, within the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.