The Commission has launched a new, improved version of the EU Building Stock Observatory (EU BSO). First established in 2016, the EU BSO is a web tool that monitors energy performance and decarbonisation-related buildings data for all EU countries. It now includes more reliable data for basic building stock indicators, higher quality data visualisations and a more user-friendly interface, which will be continuously updated and improved.
This revamp encompasses an ambitious set of upgrades, establishing it as a central hub for European building stock data. Notably, it will contribute to improving transparency on energy efficiency across the EU’s building stock under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
The platform update is focused on 2 overarching goals to improve EU buildings data:
- ensuring the EU BSO is useful across the whole policy cycle from effective target-setting to implementation, enforcement monitoring and evaluation at both national and EU level
- improving the platform’s user interface, making it easier to navigate for a wide range of potential end-users including policymakers, investors, financial institutions, construction and real estate industry stakeholders, energy providers, local authorities and researchers
Engagement with end-users through continuous testing and feedback during a series of development phases in the next 4 years will be key to achieving these goals. Insights gained from this exercise will feed into the scheduled improvements, starting with iterative data updates and a functional upgrade foreseen in 2024.
To stay informed on the platform’s development, interested parties are asked to sign up to the BSO newsletter. It will feature regular updates on progress, describe the taskforce’s methodology, share insights into stakeholder feedback and provide opportunities for you to help shape the platform’s development.
Background
An unprecedented transformation of policies related to the energy efficiency of buildings has already taken place since the EU BSO was established in 2016 (as part of the Clean energy for all Europeans package). Within the framework of the European Green Deal, the EU Climate Law sets a legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which applies to all sectors including the building sector. Additional policy initiatives launched within the scope of the European Green Deal, such as the Renovation Wave, illustrate the key role to be played by the building sector in achieving climate neutrality.
Under the so-called ‘Fit for 55’ Package, aimed at achieving the 2030 target of a 55% reduction in GHG emissions, key EU legislation is being updated to reflect this increased ambition. This includes the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Renewable Energy Directive – which have now both been agreed by the co-legislators - and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which is approaching the closing stages of negotiations.
Related links
Details
- Publication date
- 31 August 2023
- Author
- Directorate-General for Energy