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EU adopts common framework for calculating buildings’ life-cycle climate impact

A new EU delegated regulation establishes a common framework for calculating the life-cycle global warming potential (GWP) of new buildings, supporting more consistent assessments across Member States.

Life-cycle emissions become part of building assessment

 

Under the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) [1] adopted in 2024, life-cycle GWP calculations will become mandatory for large new buildings from January 2028, before being extended to all new buildings in 2030. The methodology covers emissions associated with the full building life cycle, including production and transport of construction materials, construction activities, operational energy use, maintenance and replacement of components, demolition, and waste management processes such as recycling and reuse.

 

The new Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/52 [2] seeks to harmonise calculation approaches across Europe while still allowing flexibility for national circumstances. The framework is expected to support comparable results between countries and facilitate the integration of life-cycle carbon indicators into energy performance certificates (EPCs).

 

Supporting low-carbon construction strategies

 

The regulation also aims to align with other EU legislation, including the Construction Products Regulation and Ecodesign and Energy Labelling rules, by encouraging the use of manufacturer-specific environmental data where available. When such information is not accessible, default values may still be applied.

 

By creating a more standardised assessment framework, the regulation is expected to encourage the adoption of lower-carbon construction solutions, including cleaner steel and cement production, wood-based materials capable of storing carbon, and circular approaches based on reuse and recycling.

 

The delegated regulation will enter into force on 24 May 2026.

 

 

Sources:

[1] Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401275&pk_keyword=Energy&pk_content=Directive

[2] Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/52 of 16 December 2025 amending Annex III to Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the Union framework for the national calculation of life-cycle global warming potential. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202600052