The European Commission published on Monday a framework for calculating the global warming potential (GWP) over the entire life cycle of new buildings.
According to the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), approved in 2024, the recording of life‑cycle GWP will become mandatory in Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) from January 2028 for new buildings larger than 1,000 square metres. The obligation will be extended to all new buildings from January 2030.
Comparable Methodologies Across Member States
As stated in an announcement by the Commission’s Directorate‑General for Energy, the delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/52 establishes an EU‑wide framework for national calculations of life‑cycle GWP, ensuring comparable methodologies among member states, while allowing flexibility to reflect national specificities.
What Life‑Cycle GWP Covers
Life‑cycle GWP captures greenhouse gas emissions at all stages of a building’s life. These include the production and transport of construction products, construction activities, energy use during operation, material replacements, and the demolition and waste‑management phase, with provisions for reuse, recycling and final disposal.
Links With Other EU Legislation
The Commission notes that the regulation strengthens synergies with other EU legislative tools, including the Construction Products Regulation and frameworks on ecodesign and energy labelling. It also allows for the use of default values where specific data are not available.
Promoting Sustainable Construction
According to the announcement, the new framework aims to support sustainable building practices, including the use of low‑carbon materials such as “clean” steel and cement, carbon‑storing materials such as timber structures, and increased reuse and recycling of materials.
Entry Into Force
The delegated regulation will enter into force on 24 May, twenty days after its publication.
Source: CNA