Today, the European Parliament adopted its position on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The amendments passed with 343 votes in favor, 216 against, and 78 abstentions. The amendments include higher ambitions on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) requirements and renovation rates.

The most notable provisions in the amendments are more ambitious IEQ requirements, stricter Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), an obligation for all new buildings to be zero-emission (ZEB) from 2028 onwards, and an accelerated uptake of solar photovoltaics in buildings.

The Parliament will now enter into trialogue negotiations with the Council, which adopted its general approach in October 2022. Both institutions will need to find a compromise on the final text of the EPBD. Negotiations are expected to last until the summer, but they could take longer due to strong opposition within the Council to mandatory renovations for individual buildings, which is a key point for the Parliament.