It is part of the European & International response to the environmental and global warming crisis. The building and construction sector has a significant impact on the environment, global warming and has been identified as a key sector for carbon reduction. The EU estimates that buildings account for 40% of total energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions. 

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the legislative instrument in Europe in relation to promoting energy efficiency in the building sector. This has had a significant impact in Ireland. The original EPBD 2002/91/EC included for the establishment of a calculation methodology for the energy performance of buildings and the making available of energy performance certificates whenever buildings were constructed, sold or rented.

 The second and current directive, 2010/31/EU (the EPBD recast) widened the scope of the directive and raised standards. All new buildings must be nearly zero energy buildings by the 31st of December 2020. There is an update to the current directive 2018/844/EU where it is revised to include long term renovation strategies for the existing housing stock.

Building energy ratings are much more than just something needed to sell or rent a building. They are an important part of demonstrating how we will meet targets in the fight against global warming & climate change. Europe is leading the world when it come to climate action. With the recent publication of the climate action plan, Ireland is also stepping up to the mark.