New directive
The European Parliament has approved a directive aimed at cutting energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. Some lawmakers from Law and Justice argue this move could push Europeans into housing and energy poverty, describing it as a burdensome setback for households.
Across the chamber, 615 Members of the European Parliament participated in the vote: 370 supported the measure, 199 opposed it, and 46 abstained. This is presented as another document in the Green Deal package.
New directive
Under Tuesday’s plan, new buildings must be emission-free by 2030, while buildings owned or occupied by governments must be emission-free by 2028. The aim is for construction to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The directive also includes provisions to accelerate renovations of the least efficient buildings and to improve the sharing of information on energy performance.
For residential buildings, Member States will need to reduce average primary energy consumption by at least 16 percent by 2030 and by about 20–22 percent by 2035, according to the new rules.
EU countries are also required to renovate 16 percent of non-residential buildings with the worst energy performance by 2030 and 26 percent by 2033. When technically and economically feasible, Member States will gradually install solar energy systems on public and non-residential buildings of suitable size and on all new residential buildings by 2030, as outlined in the announcement.
Fossil fuels
The directive pushes member states to decarbonize heating systems and phase out fossil fuels for heating and cooling. Fossil fuel boilers must be fully phased out by 2040, and from 2025 subsidies for standalone fossil fuel boilers will cease. Incentives may still support hybrid heating solutions that combine a boiler with a solar system or a heat pump.
Officials noted that the new rules may not apply to agricultural or historic buildings. EU countries may also choose not to apply the rules to buildings protected for their architectural or historical importance, or to temporary structures, churches, and places of worship.
MEPs warn
Polish lawmakers from PiS warned that the directive could substantially affect European living standards. MEP Anna Zalewska cautioned that financing fossil fuel boiler replacements would impact Poland’s Clean Air program, which has attracted subsidies for replacing coal boilers with gas. She described this as just the start of further restrictions on fossil fuel boilers.
The directive requires member states to outline steps to phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling, with a clear goal to eliminate fossil fuel stoves by 2040. Zalewska also commented on rules for new and existing construction, noting that on-site carbon dioxide emissions must align with the zero-emission building standard described in Article Two.
She reaffirmed the EU’s pledge to decarbonize all buildings by 2050 and explained that renovations will aim to reduce the average primary energy demand by 16 percent by 2030 and by 22–25 percent by 2035, with at least 55 percent of savings coming from renovating the worst-performing buildings. She cautioned that these targets are ambitious and costly.
Zalewska highlighted the obligation to install photovoltaic panels on building roofs, with a notable emphasis on the deadline of December 31, 2029. The requirement covers all new residential buildings and covered parking spaces adjacent to them, though feasibility in technical and financial terms remains a consideration. She added that this presents a financial, logistical, and technological burden for Member States.
She also drew attention to new energy performance certificates that will use a uniform EU-wide assessment scale, necessitating administrative changes. Certificates will be issued more frequently, including for major renovations, which could extend processing times and raise prices. Polish certificate costs run at hundreds of zlotys, varying by location and building type.
Consequences for Europeans
Other PiS members commented on the EP’s approval. Beata Szydło described the directive as a move that will drive millions of EU residents, including many Poles, toward poverty and home loss. Jacek Saryusz-Wolski argued that the directive continues the European Green Deal, criticizing the drafting and implementation of the building code as disastrous for households and the broader economy.
In light of the directive, several related issues were discussed. The changes are linked to the broader energy transformation agenda within the Green Deal and its impact on national economies and agriculture. Critics warn that the policy could raise living costs and reshape home ownership expectations, while supporters emphasize long-term benefits in energy independence and climate resilience.
As the discussion continues, official briefings stress that the plan will not only redefine energy efficiency standards but also require substantial investment in retrofitting, smart energy systems, and upgraded infrastructure to meet the 2030 and 2035 milestones.
Overall, the directive marks a major step in the EU’s climate strategy, with a focus on energy efficiency, decarbonization of heating, and a broader push toward building stock that uses far less energy. The exact balance between cost, feasibility, and environmental goals remains a contentious topic among member states and political factions.