Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings in Europe

Between 2005 and 2024, greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings in the European Union fell by 45%. Estimates for 2025 indicate a modest increase in GHG emissions from fossil fuel use in buildings compared to 2024. Progress since 2005 was driven by higher energy efficiency standards for new buildings, efficiency improvement in existing buildings, measures to decarbonise the electricity sector and heating systems, and, to a lesser extent, warmer temperatures. Despite the 2025 short-term increase, the long-term decline in emissions from buildings is expected to continue.

Figure 1. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings in Europe

The buildings sector is a key contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU, representing 32% of energy-related emissions in 2024. These emissions result partly from the direct use of fossil fuels in buildings (e.g. oil and gas used in boilers for heating) and from the production of electricity and heat for use in buildings (e.g. electricity consumed by water heaters, lighting, electrical devices, cooling systems, etc).

The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2024), together with the Energy Efficiency Directive, Renewable Energy Directive and Emission Trading System (ETS) Directive, provide the EU's principal legislative framework for decarbonisation of the EU building stock. In 2028, the ETS2 system - covering mainly emissions from buildings and transport - will be fully operational. Complementary initiatives, such as the European Affordable Housing Plan (2025), seek to align the energy transition with housing affordability objectives. Collectively, these measures are expected to support Member States in meeting their national Effort Sharing Regulation targets.

Between 2005 and 2024, total GHG emissions from energy use in buildings in the EU, including both direct and indirect emissions, fell by 45%. The decline reflects improvements in the energy efficiency of both new and existing buildings, increased electrification of heating and other end uses, and the progressive decarbonisation of electricity and heating supply. To a lesser extent, warmer winters, changes in heating demand and behaviour have also contributed to reducing emissions.

These reductions have been partly offset by structural trends that increase energy demand, including a growing number of dwellings, larger average floor area per person, and greater use of appliances in residential buildings. At the same time, more frequent and longer-lasting summer heatwaves are increasing cooling needs in buildings.

Estimates for 2025 indicate a slight increase in direct emissions from fossil fuel use in buildings compared with 2024, primarily reflecting higher heating demand due to weather conditions. Nevertheless, Member States project that the longer-term decline in emissions from buildings will continue.

Figure 2. Past and projected greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings by country

While emissions from the use of fossil fuels in buildings declined across the EU between 2005 and 2024, trends varied considerably across Member States. Over this period, emissions fell most sharply in Sweden, Denmark and Greece, with reductions ranging from 61% to 72%. By contrast, Romania, Lithuania and Malta recorded more modest declines of between 7% and 15%. Among the Energy Community Contracting Parties for which data are available, emissions decreased by more than 20% in Moldova and Serbia, and by more than 60% in Ukraine.

Compared to 2005, national projections of GHG emissions from buildings indicate a further decrease in emissions by 2030 for most Member States. However, this is not the case for Malta, where foreseen growth correlates to increased electricity use for air conditioning. Cyprus projects a reduction only if additional measures are included. Additional measures in four countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Portugal) are expected to result in emissions reductions from buildings of 80% or more by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.

Supporting information

Definition

This indicator presents past and latest year GHG emissions estimates and projected GHG emissions trends for energy used in the residential and commercial sector in the European Union, EU Member States and Energy Community contracting parties. Historical data include emissions from the use of fossil fuels in buildings (also called ‘direct emissions’) and emissions from the use of electricity and heat (also called ‘indirect emissions’); the latter come mainly from emissions resulting from the production of the heat and the electricity that is subsequently used in buildings. Emissions from the construction, renovation or demolition of buildings are not covered by this indicator.

Methodology

Emissions from fossil fuels used in buildings (direct emissions)

This indicator is based on the official GHG inventories submitted by EEA member countries to the EEA, and on the GHG emissions projections submitted by EU Member States under the Governance Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1999).

Greenhouse gas inventories

For the preparation of their national inventories, countries use the methodologies of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Commercial buildings and Residential buildings are included (corresponding respectively to sectors 1A4a and 1A4b of the IPCC classification).

Projected greenhouse gas emissions

For projected GHG emissions, information submitted by EEA member countries under the Governance Regulation is used. The projected GHG emissions referred to in the indicator are those reported under the ‘with existing measures’ (WEM) scenario and the ‘with additional measures’ (WAM) scenario.

The projected GHG emissions data include data Commercial buildings and Residential buildings (corresponding respectively to sectors 1A4a and 1A4b of the IPCC classification).

Approximated greenhouse gas inventory

This indicator also uses data and estimates from the ‘Approximated GHG inventory’ for the year (X-1). ‘Proxy’ inventories are reported by Member States to the EEA and to the Commission under the Governance Regulation by 31 July of each year, X, and are calculated at an aggregate level on the basis of the national and international information available for the year (X-1).

Member States provide Proxy estimates only for the entire IPCC sector 1.A.4, not-sub-sectors. It includes therefore more emissions than the only ones of Commercial buildings and Residential buildings. To address this issue, the following adjustment is made: the percentage difference in emissions for year (X-1) and (X-2) of the entire 1.A.4 sector is used to estimate the value of emissions for year X for sub-sectors 1.A.4.a and 1.A.4.b from the value of emissions from the GHG inventory for year (X-1) for these sub-sectors’.

Emissions from electricity use in buildings (indirect emissions)

Indirect emissions from electricity, heat and combined heat and power in residential, commercial and institutional buildings include the emissions from electricity and heat production (IPCC sector 1.A.1.a) that are allocated to buildings (IPCC sectors 1.A.4.a and 1.A.4.b) according to the end-user methodology developed by the EEA. The methodology is based on an EEA report, which is publicly available at:

https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/end-user-ghg-emissions-energy

Methodology for gap filling

No methodology for gap filling has been specified.

Policy/environmental relevance

Climate change is one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing the world, and the warming of the climate system is unequivocal according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). To prevent the most severe impacts of climate change, countries that have signed up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have agreed to cooperate with a view to limiting the increase in global average temperature and the resulting climate change by decreasing emissions of GHG.

The buildings sector being one of the massive emitters of GHGs in Europe, the overall EU 2030 target for decreasing GHG emissions (55% below the 1990 level) and the long-term 2050 climate neutrality objective cannot be achieved if emissions from buildings are not addressed quickly and comprehensively. Tackling GHG emissions from buildings is therefore a key priority of EU climate policy. This sector is also a key priority in other regions of the world and therefore at a global level as well.

The indicator is directly responsive to changes in related human activities, such as actions related to energy performance in buildings, energy labelling and the eco-design of products, and actions to decarbonise the electricity and the heating/cooling sectors.

Accuracy and uncertaintiesData sources and providers

Metadata

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Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings in Europe

Figure 1. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings in Europe

Figure 2. Past and projected greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings by country

Supporting information

Metadata

References and footnotes