The 290kW Mandate: How Europe is Turning Building Data into Strategic Decarbonization Assets
Modernising the European building stock remains the most significant hurdle in achieving the continent’s 2050 decarbonization goals. While the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) provides the legislative skeleton—specifically through Article 15, which sets the stage for the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI)—a deep chasm remains between high-level policy and national operational reality. The SmarterEPC project bridges this gap via the “Fit for 290!” roadmap. This framework is not merely a strategic guide; it is the essential toolkit for Member States to navigate the mandatory rollout of the SRI for large non-residential buildings, ensuring that “smartness” is leveraged as a measurable asset in the energy transition.
EU Taxonomy, Buildings, EPCs and SRI: What Is Changing and Why It Matters
The EU Taxonomy is often presented as a sustainable finance tool, but for buildings, it has a very practical meaning. In the building sector, this mainly concerns new construction, renovation of existing buildings, and acquisition or ownership of buildings. The aim is to move away from generic claims such as “green building” and rely instead on measurable information. Discover the new taxonomy and what it means for the building sectors, policy makers and investors.
From Policy to Practice: Key Takeaways from the EPBD Implementation Days in Brussels
On May 13, 2026, the European Commission’s DG ENER and CINEA convened a high-level summit in Brussels to navigate the critical transition from legislative design to operational delivery. Held just weeks before the May 29 transposition deadline, the event served as a strategic forum for bridging the gap between policy ambition and technical execution. The focus has shifted from “what” must be done to the “how”, specifically through the deployment of EU-funded instruments.
Integrating Energy Performance and Smart Readiness Indicator: Insights from assessors
SmarterEPC surveyed 25 building performance assessors to test the integration of Energy Performance Certificates with Smart Readiness Indicator assessments. The SmarterEPC methodology promises to streamline building audits under the revised EPBD, but assessors emphasise the need for clearer criteria, practical training, and digital tools to ensure successful implementation across Europe. Read what we found out.
The state of the EPCs in Italy: progress and challenges
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), introduced in Italy in 2005 with the 2002 EPBD Directive, is a fundamental tool for building management for owners, operators, and institutions alike. Aside from the benefits, what is the current state of EPCs in Italy? Every year, ENEA publishes a report on EPCs to analyze the state of the art of this certification, which is still not fully exploited in all its potential.
Simplifying Building Performance Assessment Through Integration
The SmarterEPC project has reached a major milestone with the presentation of its innovative joint certificate at CASE 2025, demonstrating how Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Smart Readiness Indicators (SRI) can be potentially integrated into a single, user-friendly document.
Smart Readiness Indicator in the spotlight
October was a warm month for the implementation of the Smart Readiness Indicator in Europe. With two milestone events as Sustainable Places in Milan and the 4th SRI Joint event in Brussels, SRI has moved a step forward in being recognised as a strategic resource for meeting EPBD goals on energy efficiency
SmarterEPC: How SRI Transforms EPC in Europe
Sophie Dourlens Quaranta, Managing Partner of R2M Solution France and coordinator of the LIFE CET project SmarterEPC, joins SERG CAST Podcast to explore the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) for buildings.
SmarterEPC testing phase for SRI and EPC joint assessments
The SmarterEPC project is advancing the integration of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) with Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). After testing on 14 buildings in seven countries, the project is now preparing for real-world validation with EPC assessors.
EPBD IV impacts from Finland’s perspective
As the European Union accelerates its climate ambitions through the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV) adopted in May 2024, Finland is stepping up to the challenge. The directive must be transposed into national legislation by May 2026. For Finland’s real estate sector and energy service companies (ESCOs), this marks a pivotal shift—one that brings both regulatory pressure and strategic opportunity.