As part of the European Sustainable Energy Week 2026, OBSERVE is pleased to highlight the policy session “Local heating and cooling plans: operationalising the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive”, taking place on Thursday 11 June 2026, from 14:00 to 15:30, in Brussels.
Organised by DG ENER in collaboration with OBSERVE and sister LIFE CET projects, this session will focus on a key challenge for Europe’s clean energy transition: how to move from fragmented building and energy data to actionable insights that can support local heating and cooling planning.
Supporting the implementation of the EPBD and EED
The session will explore how local evidence, data governance and interoperability can support the implementation of two major European directives: the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).
The revised EPBD places stronger emphasis on the role of reliable and accessible building-related data. In particular, it calls for more harmonised national databases, improved interoperability and stronger links with the EU Building Stock Observatory. These elements are essential to support policy design, implementation and monitoring at both national and local levels.
The Energy Efficiency Directive also plays an important role, especially through its provisions related to heating and cooling planning. The session will therefore examine how local authorities can access and use the right data to develop stronger, evidence-based local plans.
A key contribution from Rosalinde van der Vlies
The session will feature Rosalinde van der Vlies, Director for Just Transition, Consumers, Energy Efficiency and Innovation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy.
In her current role, Rosalinde van der Vlies oversees a broad portfolio at the heart of the EU clean energy transition, covering energy efficiency, consumer-related energy policy, just transition and innovation. Her contribution will help frame the discussion around the practical implementation of EU energy and building policies, and the importance of reliable local data to support effective decision-making.
Before joining DG ENER, she served as Director of the “Clean Planet” Directorate in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, where she contributed to the EU’s climate-neutrality and clean innovation agenda.
Her participation in this session will bring an important European policy perspective on how better data, stronger cooperation and practical tools can help accelerate the transition towards a clean, secure and competitive Energy Union.
From fragmented data to actionable insight
The session will bring together several stakeholders and initiatives working on building stock data, local energy planning and policy implementation. Discussions will focus on how to improve the structure and use of data in order to support:
- National Building Renovation Plans;
- national energy performance of buildings databases;
- local heating and cooling plans;
- the EU Building Stock Observatory;
- practical data pipelines and interoperability between systems.
The session will include expert inputs, live polls and a moderated panel debate. Participants will be invited to contribute to the discussion and help identify practical solutions for improving the use of evidence in local heating and cooling planning.
Practical information
Session: Local heating and cooling plans: operationalising the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive
Date: Thursday 11 June 2026
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Location: Charlemagne – Jenkins, Brussels
Event: European Sustainable Energy Week 2026
Come discover the other speakers via this link:
https://interactive.eusew.eu/platform/eusew-2026/programme?day=2026-06-11&session=cmmw2e4y9010y4a676evk6hd4
