Launch of the ICOMOS Report on the Implementation of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
On 20 January 2026, the ICOMOS Expert Group on EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) Implementation launched the ICOMOS Report on the Implementation of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. This report presents evidence from over nineteen EU and non-EU countries and evaluates the impact of the EPBD on Europe’s historic built environment.
About the ICOMOS Expert Group on EPBD Implementation
ICOMOS, as many other organisations, contributed to the public consultations of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Recognising the influence of the directive on the built heritage, as well as the need to foster the inclusion of the heritage sector and heritage aspects in these processes, the ICOMOS Europe group joined forces with the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability (ISCES). Together, they created an Expert Group to monitor the implementation of the Directive in European countries.
The working group attracted more than 50 people due to the high interest in the topic. It consists of members of ICOMOS National Committees, working on a daily basis on architectural projects or related administrative issues. Since 2023, meetings have been held nearly monthly to share various information and debate on the challenges and best practices to adopt.
These discussions revealed significant differences in the implementation of the EPBD, in addition to the gaps in data necessary for decision making. The working group started to collect and gather evidence on the national practices, which culminated in a comprehensive report reflecting data from 19 countries in Europe – 15 being EU member states and 4 non-EU countries.
What is the ICOMOS Report on the Implementation of the European EPBD?
The report discusses in depth the state of implementation of the directive, along with the related challenges. The heritage sector is advocating for reasonable solutions to improve the energy efficiency of the existing building stock and does not consider the granting of exemptions to be sufficient. Furthermore, one intriguing topic was the concept of what is protected and evaluated as having heritage value. The report highlights the need for responsible maintenance, the use of traditional techniques as well as the possibilities for modern technological interventions. It contains not only relevant data but also different concerns raised on a national level and which serve as a source of learning and inspiration.
With this report, ICOMOS aims to contribute to the debates on the importance of the existing building stock in the ambitions of the European Green Deal, but also to provide the input of the heritage sector to the actions of the New European Bauhaus.
Launch of the ICOMOS Report on the Implementation of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
ICOMOS launched the document with a webinar on January 20th 2026, which was attended by over 130 participants from all around Europe.
The contents of the report as well as key findings and strategic recommendations were presented by the report’s editorial team:
- Background and objectives, scope and methodology, key findings, strategic recommendations: Riin Alatalu (Estonia)
- Implementation of EPBD in different States, defining architectural and historical value, data availability: Emre Kishali (Türkiye)
- Energy efficiency interventions & strategies: Nathalie Vernimme (Belgium)
- Maintenance, repair and adaptation: Dr. James Ritson (United Kingdom)
- Capacity building – innovation and supporting tools: Maria Teresa Iaquinta (Italy)
- Good practices, models and guidelines: Miha Tomšič (Slovenia)
The ICOMOS Expert group on EPBD implementation thanks all readers and partners and welcomes feedback (riin.alatalu[at]icomos.org).