Is your building project ready for 2025? Let’s unpack the new EU energy efficiency regulations

As Europe moves steadily towards a net-zero carbon future, one thing has become clear: energy efficiency in buildings is no longer a nice-to-have - it's a must. And with new EU regulations already rolling out in some countries, construction professionals can’t afford to fall behind.

What’s changing in 2025 and beyond?

In April 2024, the EU approved a revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), and it sets the tone for the coming years. Some key milestones:

• From 2028, all new public buildings must be Zero-Emission Buildings (ZEBs).
• By 2030, this requirement will apply to all new buildings, public or private.

But there’s more to a ZEB than just using renewable energy. These buildings must also show top performance across their entire life cycle - from design and materials to emissions and energy use. For the first time, the concept of whole life carbon becomes mandatory in EU law. That means developers will need to calculate and disclose the global warming potential (GWP) of new buildings.

This requirement kicks in:

• In 2028 for new buildings over 1000 m²,
• And in 2030 for all new constructions.

What does that mean in practice? A much greater focus on choosing low- impact materials and designing for thermal efficiency from day one. Insulation will be more critical than ever - not just to reduce operational energy use, but to meet legal targets and unlock funding.

What do EU Member States need to implement by 2025?

Here’s a snapshot:

• ZEB standards: Extremely high energy performance, full coverage by renewables, airtight envelopes, and well-integrated systems.
• Renovation goals + MEPS: All non-residential buildings must outperform the worst-performing 16% of the national stock by 2030 (and the worst 26% by 2033). Minimum Energy Performance Standards will define the thresholds.
• Residential energy targets: Reduce average primary energy use in residential buildings by 16% by 2030 and 20–22% by 2040 (vs. 2020). Deep renovations will be crucial, especially for the least efficient 43% of homes.
• EPCs go digital: A harmonised A–G rating scale, clear indicators, and easier access to energy performance data.
• Renovation Passports (BRPs): Member States must launch voluntary "building renovation passports" by May 2026 - long-term roadmaps to achieve ZEB compliance.
• Mobility-ready infrastructure: Buildings must include EV charging points and bicycle facilities, typically coordinated with other energy upgrades.
• Efficient technical systems: From duct insulation to smart controls, Member States will define new performance standards to ensure systems operate as efficiently as possible.

Why insulation really matters now

Let’s be honest - insulation used to be all about comfort in winter. But today, especially with the new EU regulations coming into play, it’s a dealbreaker. It affects compliance, long-term energy performance, and in many cases, access to funding.

The big shift? We now have to look beyond operational energy. From airtightness to embodied carbon, insulation is one of the few design choices that can reduce emissions across a building’s entire life cycle.

At URSA, we’ve seen this shift coming, and we’ve adapted our solutions accordingly:

Mineral Wool

Whether you're tackling a deep retrofit or planning a high-performance new build, our mineral wool delivers on thermal comfort, noise control, and fire safety. It’s not just theory - projects like 150 Holborn in London, a LEED Platinum - and BREEAM Excellent-targeted mixed-use development, show how smart insulation choices can drive both energy performance and sustainability. Over 1,000 m² of URSA mineral wool were used in the façade to achieve strict U-values, contribute to airtightness, and support long-term energy savings - all while meeting the highest environmental and fire safety standards.