24 World Green Building Council: EU Policy Whole Life Carbon Roadmap Figure 2: Indicative timeline of introducing net zero whole-life carbon requirements Source: Roadmap to climate-proof buildings and construction – How to embed WLC in the EPBD Minimum energy performance standards MEPS are essential to reaching EU climate goals. By implementing minimum standards that can be increased over time, MEPS provide a key tool for guiding stakeholders through the deep renovation journey and enabling the delivery of net zero WLC. If the implementation of MEPS leads to deep-staged renovation, as opposed to deep renovation carried out in one go, they must be introduced alongside BRPs. real data about buildings’ measured energy consumption. Providing real-time information on home performance would empower building owners and occupiers to model and project the impact of building improvement on the EPC rating, thus enhancing their decision-making. New EPC updates should also be required at key points in a building’s life, such as when renovation work takes place and when a property is sold or rented. To ensure the building stock is fully decarbonised by 2050, MEPS must be aligned with the Commission’s decarbonisation trajectory and incorporate progressive performance standards. The Commission should also commit to assessing the feasibility of adding WLC metrics to MEPS once widespread reporting exists. The ongoing EPBD revision must outline how to make the current EPC framework more robust, reliable and trustworthy. The use of EPCs within the EU taxonomy criteria makes it even more important that they are harmonised across the EU. This will also increase their reliability and accuracy as design tools. A vision for energy performance certificates The current EPC framework is not fit for purpose. It must be improved and harmonised so that homeowners and other stakeholders have accurate and accessible information about their buildings’ projected and actual performance. To be equally useful for all stakeholders, EPCs’ building data should be more comprehensive. For policymakers, designers and other stakeholders, EPCs provide a useful calculated asset rating figure, but this should be complemented with In addition to the indicators proposed in the revised EPBD, EPCs must also require disclosure of WLC data for new builds. A Fit for 55 approach to data To deliver the recommendations outlined in this Roadmap, outdated aspects of the current policy framework must be updated. Clarity is needed on how to consolidate and future-proof initiatives and policies.
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