Climate Change is the EU's top priority according to the European Commission and Member States are committed to cutting down on CO2 emissions to meet the Kyoto Protocol targets. Despite all the efforts, Member States keep on wasting a significant part of their energy due to inefficiency and buildings are responsible for 40% of Europe's total carbon-dioxide emissions.



Therefore, if the EU is to achieve its targets, reducing energy use in all buildings is essential and the Energy Performance Building Directive (EPBD) is intended to contribute to realizing this.

"Even though many energy efficiency measures are cost effective with a relatively short payback time, they are often not undertaken due to financial restraints," observes Research Analyst Reka Szanto. "If more stringent standards are applied to new buildings and renovations, the EU will achieve a significant cut in greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, any effort is in vain if it is not coupled with a change in consumer behavior."