Perspectives on decarbonisation of existing buildings in Europe

Decarbonisation of existing buildings is necessary to meet European Union commitments to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050. There is no single decarbonisation solution because European buildings are diverse, have different uses and are in different climatic regions. This paper discusses choosing the depth of building renovation, selecting sustainable technologies to cost-effectively decarbonise buildings, and the potential benefits for occupants' health and comfort, energy security and increased building value. The potential for re-using and recycling building materials and components is highlighted, together with the need to reduce embodied as well as operating emissions when renovating buildings. Key actors needed to decarbonise Europe’s existing buildings include policy makers, investors, banks, financing institutions, the construction industry and the research community. In 2021, the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC) published a report on decarbonising buildings and this paper aims to bring the findings to the scientific community. Since the EASAC report was published, more research has been published on decarbonising buildings through renovation, and a revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive has been adopted (in 2024). This paper recognises these recent developments and offers a broad science-based perspective on the potential benefits and challenges of decarbonising existing buildings in Europe.