How Europe's Building Policies are Redefining Health and Sustainability
The European built environment is at a critical juncture, navigating the immense pressures of decarbonisation while grappling with the real-world demands for affordable housing and energy security. On the surface, it might seem like the momentum for a green transition is slowing, but beneath the surface, a more nuanced and holistic evolution is taking place.
In a recent episode of the Air Quality Matters podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Stijn Renneboog , Deputy Secretary General at Eurovent . With his unique vantage point at the intersection of European policy and the HVAC industry, Stijn provided an invaluable perspective on the complex dynamics shaping our sector today. Our conversation explored the subtle but profound shifts in legislation, the rising importance of occupant well-being, and the practical challenges that lie ahead.
The Evolving EPBD: From Energy Focus to Holistic Sustainability
One of the central themes of our discussion was the evolution of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). For years, the directive has been the primary legislative driver for reducing energy consumption in buildings. However, as Stijn explained, the latest revisions signify a monumental shift in thinking.
We delved into the political climate surrounding these changes. The European Green Deal’s ambitious “Fit for 55” package introduced a wave of legislative activity, which, for some in the industry, felt like “too much, all at once.” This has led to a political backlash in certain quarters, with calls for simplification and even revisions to the newly minted EPBD. The conversation reveals the delicate balance between ambitious long-term goals and the market's capacity to adapt, a tension that is playing out in real-time across the EU.
Despite these political headwinds, the EPBD is moving into a new phase. It's no longer a one-dimensional tool focused solely on kilowatt-hours. It is transforming into a holistic "sustainable buildings directive" that addresses everything from embodied carbon and EV charging infrastructure to, most critically, the quality of the indoor environment itself. A Landmark Shift: Putting Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Centre Stage
Perhaps the most significant development we discussed is the EPBD's new, explicit recognition of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). Stijn rightly called this a “symbolic victory.” For the first time at this high legislative level, there is a formal link between a building’s energy consumption and its fundamental purpose: to provide a healthy and comfortable environment for people.
This isn't just rhetoric; it comes with tangible requirements. The directive now mandates that EU member states define their own minimum IEQ standards. We explored how this will likely trigger action on the ground, supported by developing EN standards that provide a framework for defining what "good" IEQ looks like.
One of the most compelling aspects of this shift is the new requirement for IEQ monitoring and control systems in non-residential buildings. The intention is to make the “invisible visible” by using tools like CO2 sensors to give occupants and building managers real data on the quality of the air they breathe. This simple act of measurement can be a powerful catalyst for change. Stijn shared a fascinating example from Sweden, where mandatory ventilation inspections have become one of the most common triggers for comprehensive energy efficiency renovations—a perfect illustration of how prioritising health can drive sustainability. The full discussion offers a deeper dive into how these monitoring and inspection mechanisms are expected to reshape building operation and maintenance.
Navigating Circularity, Embodied Carbon, and a Global Market
Our conversation also turned to the growing industry priority of circularity and embodied carbon. With the revised EPBD set to require the calculation of a building's life-cycle carbon footprint, the pressure is on for manufacturers to provide transparent data through Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
Stijn shed light on the immense challenge of harmonising the standards for creating these EPDs. With different methodologies currently in use, comparing products on a true "apples-to-apples" basis is difficult. This standardisation work is a critical, behind-the-scenes effort that will fundamentally change how we assess the sustainability of building components, enabling designers and specifiers to make more informed, holistic decisions.
We also touched on Eurovent's expanding global perspective, with new chapters in the Middle East and India. This global outlook is crucial, as lessons from rapidly developing markets—with their unique challenges and opportunities—can inform European practices and vice versa.
The conversation with Stijn Renneboog offers a comprehensive look at a sector in transition. We moved from high-level policy debates to the practicalities of product certification, revealing a landscape that is more complex, more integrated, and more focused on human well-being than ever before.
One Take: The Troubling Contradiction in Global Air Quality Funding
In this week's One Take episode, we dissect a vital—and deeply sobering—annual report: "The State of Global Air Quality Funding 2025" from the Clean Air Fund. This report acts as a global health check, not for people, but for policy, by tracking where international development money is actually going. The diagnosis is alarming.
The report reveals a stark contradiction. While direct funding for projects aimed at improving outdoor air quality has fallen by 20% to a mere 1% of total development funding, financing for projects that prolong our reliance on fossil fuels has surged by 80%. In 2023, the world’s development funders spent over two and a half times more on entrenching the problem than they did on solving it. It's like trying to bail out a sinking boat with a teacup while someone else drills holes in the hull.
A glimmer of hope lies in funding for projects with "air quality co-benefits," such as renewable energy or public transport initiatives. This category is growing, presenting a major opportunity to be more intentional about integrating clean air targets into large-scale infrastructure projects.
However, the report's most critical finding is the profound inequity in funding distribution. A staggering 65% of direct funding went to just three countries, leaving the world's most polluted regions as "funding deserts." Sub-Saharan Africa, a continent facing rapid urbanisation and a growing health burden from air pollution, saw its funding drop by a catastrophic 91%. This report holds a mirror up to our global priorities, and the reflection is not a flattering one.
The State of Global Air Quality Funding 2025
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