Context of the workshop
REHVA participated in the European Commission stakeholder workshop on the revision of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action. The event took place on 3 March 2026 in the Robert Schuman Room at the Berlaymont building in Brussels and gathered representatives from Member States, European institutions, NGOs, companies and industrial associations.
The workshop forms part of the Commission’s preparatory work for a future revision of the Governance Regulation. This legislative framework currently structures the EU’s energy and climate governance system, notably through the preparation and monitoring of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). These plans outline how Member States intend to meet the Union’s energy and climate objectives and constitute a key instrument to coordinate national actions towards EU-wide targets.
The review of the Governance Regulation aims to assess whether the current framework remains fit for purpose in the context of the Union’s evolving energy and climate ambitions and the upcoming policy framework for the period after 2030
Discussions during the workshop
The event was structured around several thematic sessions addressing different dimensions of the revision. Discussions explored how governance tools can better support the implementation of EU climate and energy objectives, improve the coherence between planning and investment, and streamline reporting obligations while ensuring transparency and accountability.
Participants also discussed the role of National Energy and Climate Plans in guiding investments, the interaction between EU and national governance processes, and the effectiveness of monitoring and reporting mechanisms. The exchanges reflected the diversity of perspectives among stakeholders involved in the implementation of EU energy and climate policies.
REHVA perspective
In the context of the revision of the Governance Regulation, REHVA stresses the importance of designing governance frameworks around clearly defined objectives and measurable outcomes rather than prescribing specific technological pathways.
From the perspective of building engineering professionals, policies should focus on the performance and results to be achieved, allowing technical experts to identify the most suitable solutions depending on the specific circumstances of buildings, energy systems and local conditions.
Ensuring quality in the implementation of building-related policies is also essential. Public support schemes and regulatory requirements can only deliver their intended impact if the installed systems perform as expected in real conditions. Proper design, commissioning, adjustment and monitoring of technical building systems therefore play a crucial role in achieving the intended energy and climate outcomes.
In many cases, the gap between expected and actual energy performance is not linked to the technology itself but to how systems are installed, configured and operated. Greater attention to commissioning and operational performance can significantly improve the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures and ensure that public and private investments deliver their intended benefits.
The resilience of the energy system is another important consideration. A robust transition benefits from a diversity of solutions and from decentralised approaches that make use of locally available resources. Maintaining flexibility in technological pathways helps avoid structural dependencies and contributes to a more resilient and adaptable energy system.
Next steps
REHVA will contribute to the European Commission’s public consultation on the revision of the Governance Regulation, providing further technical input based on the experience of HVAC engineers and professionals working across Europe.
The federation also thanks the services of DG ENER and DG CLIMA for the invitation and for organising this constructive exchange with stakeholders and will continue to channel the voice of HVAC engineers and building professionals who experience the practical effects of EU legislation in their daily work, bringing their technical expertise to EU decision-makers in support of balanced and well-informed policy outcomes.