A new report published this week from the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) calls for urgent action to address Whole Life Carbon (WLC) emissions in the built environment. As the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) mandates life cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP) measurement by 2028, EU member states have a relatively short window of time to develop and implement the necessary regulatory frameworks. Fortunately, significant groundwork has already been laid, and the report provides a clear path forward for policymakers.
The report is a key result of the INDICATE project, which spent two years piloting national WLC frameworks in Czechia, Spain, and Ireland by drawing on successful Nordic models. The results confirm that member states do not need to start from scratch. By following proven policy design principles, countries can meet the EPBD’s 2028 requirements and set realistic WLC reduction targets that align with net-zero ambitions.
A workable policy framework
The report highlights how countries that are lagging in WLC regulation can quickly catch up. Drawing on lessons learned from frontrunner countries like Denmark, Sweden, Finland, France and the Netherlands, the INDICATE pilots have developed actionable frameworks that other EU countries can adopt.
Zsolt Toth, the report’s lead author, emphasises, “Our findings show that with the right frameworks in place, no country is starting from zero. By acting now, we can ensure that the built environment plays its part in Europe’s climate neutrality goals.”
Recommendations for EU member states
The report urges member states to take immediate action by developing national WLC methodologies to meet the 2028 GWP measurement deadline, emphasising that early action will help avoid rushed and ineffective frameworks later. Countries are encouraged to adopt the proven policy design features from the INDICATE pilots, which are based on successful policy design models of the frontrunning countries, offering a time- and resource-efficient approach. Policymakers are also advised to prioritise consistency and transparency in WLC assessments, even if initial data is imperfect, to ensure robust and comparable benchmarks across the EU. Finally, all member states, despite having different starting points, must align their WLC reduction targets with overarching net-zero goals.
What the European Commission should do
To support member states, the European Commission must provide clear, practical guidance. The 2025 Delegated Act, which will establish a Union-wide framework for WLC calculation, is therefore a crucial step in ensuring consistency across Europe. The report identifies 12 key elements that must be addressed, including the need for common reporting templates and the adoption of widely accepted environmental standards like EN 15978 and Level(s).
Ensuring clarity and consistency should be a major priority for the Commission. Divergence in scope and assumptions across EU countries could lead to confusion and increased costs for the construction industry. At worst, it could lock in the divergence of national methodologies for an extended period.
Conclusions
The INDICATE report underscores both the urgency and the opportunity at hand. “We are at a critical juncture,” said Toth. “Member states must act now, but they do not need to act alone. We have the tools, frameworks, and knowledge to make rapid progress in reducing carbon emissions from buildings.”
Looking ahead for INDICATE
The next phase of the INDICATE project will expand to include Austria, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg and Hungary, continuing its mission to refine WLC benchmarking and data collection processes. This will involve defining limit values, developing national reduction roadmaps, and advancing the open infrastructure for data collection and analytics.
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 