The European Union has taken a significant step towards a sustainable future with the publication of the “CASE GREEN” directive (EPBD – Energy Performance of Building Directive) in the Official Journal on May 8, 2024.

This regulation, which will come into force on May 28, 2024, requires member states to implement important measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce carbon emissions.

The “CASE GREEN” directive aims to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and promote the use of renewable energy. Undoubtedly, plants and greenery in all their forms will play a fundamental role in giving concrete implementation to the principles of the directive, which will also have a significant impact on property values. Buildings that do not meet the new energy standards could see a decrease in their market value, while those that comply with the directive’s requirements could benefit from an increase in value.

Member states will have two years to transpose the contents of the directive, but some measures must be adopted in the coming months. Here are the main deadlines:

• By December 31, 2024: Non-residential buildings must be equipped with automation and control systems for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems with a combined nominal useful output of more than 290 kW.
• From January 1, 2025: End of tax incentives for the installation of boilers powered by fossil fuels.
• By December 31, 2025: Submission of the first renovation plan proposal by EU member states.
• By December 31, 2026:** All new public and non-residential buildings with a useful covered area of more than 250 square meters must be equipped with adequate solar installations.
• By January 1, 2027: Italy must establish a roadmap to introduce cumulative total GWP (Global Warming Potential) limits for new constructions.
• By December 31, 2027: All public buildings with a useful covered area of more than 2000 square meters, and non-residential buildings with a useful covered area of more than 500 square meters undergoing major renovation, must be equipped with adequate solar installations.
• From January 1, 2028: New public buildings must be zero-emission. Additionally, for new buildings with an area of over 1000 square meters, there will be an obligation to calculate the GWP over the entire lifecycle.
• By December 31, 2029: All new residential buildings and new covered parking areas must be equipped with adequate solar installations.
• From January 1, 2030: All new buildings must be zero-emission.
• By December 31, 2030: All existing public buildings with a useful area of more than 250 square meters must be equipped with adequate solar installations. Furthermore, all residential and non-residential buildings must reduce their average primary energy consumption by at least 16% compared to 2020.
• By January 1, 2033: All non-residential buildings must reduce their average primary energy consumption by at least 26% compared to 2020.
• By December 1, 2035: All residential buildings must reduce their average
• From January 1, 2040:** End of the installation of boilers powered by fossil fuels.
• 2050: Decarbonization of the European building stock.

These measures represent a significant but necessary challenge to ensure a sustainable future, and it is hoped that they can be extended not only to European Union countries but globally.