The immediate future of binding energy efficiency regulation is national regulation (following the framework of the EPBD Article 2a's Long-term Renovation Strategies (LTRS)) by which each member state charts how it will meet the EU energy targets.

We started with the Dutch and Finnish LTRS's (epf20-39 of 29.05.2020) but that exercise had its limitations because:

  • They were both working to the existing EU targets and not to the new targets of 50-55% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 in the new proposed European Climate Law (epf20-21 of 23.03.2020 & epf20-36 of 13.05.2020)
  • They were vague about how they're going to achieve their objectives apart from brush-stroke statements like "complete transition from gas (NL) or fuel (FI) to green electricity". They both stated that energy efficiency renovation of the building stock is crucial, but there was no binding regulation except for Holland's (very significant) banning of rental of offices with less than a 'C'-rated EPC as of 2023, 'A'-rated as of 2030.

That's why the French LTRS looks like a game changer, because they actually reach the new EU 2030 target with a whole battery of binding regulation.

Details under epf20-50 of 19.06.2020