Building the future: 2019-2024 EU policies affecting the built environment
Addressing the building sector’s enormous environmental impacts is crucial to achieving the EU's energy, climate, and material efficiency goals. Annually, buildings account for nearly half of the bloc’s energy consumption, one-third of emissions, half of all extracted materials, and a third of waste.

EU law affects the future of buildings in the domains of energy, construction materials, and social aspects. This briefing looks at policy measures agreed during the 2019-2024 policy cycle; lessons from their implementation will inform additional actions to ensure that the EU stays aligned with its commitments and planetary necessity.
To dive deeper into all aspects related to buildings, including water, waste, and nature, and the referenced legal text, check our background document.
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