Buildings
Background
Buildings account for around 40% of the EU’s energy consumption and one-third of its energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. With 75% of buildings having poor energy performance, modernising the existing building and heating stock is essential to improving energy efficiency, reducing energy costs and strengthening energy security.
The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which entered into force in May 2024, aims to achieve a zero-emission building stock by 2050. Together with the revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), it establishes the framework for a more efficient and renewable building sector.
The role of bioenergy
Bioenergy is the leading source of renewable heating in the EU, providing reliable heat for millions of European households. Renewable heating from sustainable biomass can be produced through:
- Individual biomass stoves, used as local space heaters
- Individual biomass boilers, providing hot water and space heating for an entire house
- District heating networks, supplying renewable heat to multiple buildings
These solutions, including those using wood pellets, can complement electrification and contribute to replacing fossil fuel heating systems.
Our position
Fossil fuels continue to dominate heating in European buildings. Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 requires accelerating the replacement of outdated heating systems with modern, efficient and renewable solutions. Sustainable biomass heating, including hybrid systems and district heating, has an important role to play in this transition.
Long-term building renovation strategies should recognise all sustainable renewable heating technologies, support the modernisation of existing installations and ensure affordable solutions for households and businesses.
