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.