Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings in Europe

Between 2005 and 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from buildings in the European Union fell by 37%. Estimates for 2024 indicate that a further modest reduction of emissions from fossil fuels used in buildings was achieved. This progress was driven by higher energy efficiency standards for new buildings, efficiency improvements in existing buildings, measures to decarbonise the electricity sector and heating systems, and warmer temperatures. The trend towards declining emissions from the buildings sector is expected to continue over the longer term.

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 33% of energy-related emissions in 2023. 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 European Green Deal and Renovation Wave Strategy place strong emphasis on reductions in GHG emissions and energy use from buildings. A revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was adopted in 2024. It also targets energy efficiency improvements in Europe's building stock, heating systems decarbonisation and solar rooftop systems development.

The EPBD, together with the Energy Efficiency Directive, Renewable Energy Directive and ETS Directive (which extends the EU ETS to buildings through a new “ETS2” system) provide a legal framework to support decarbonisation of the EU building stock. From 2027, the ETS2 system will price direct carbon emissions from fuel used in buildings incentivising the shift to renewable energy use and improved building efficiency. Part of its revenues will be distributed to the Member States via the Social Climate Fund to support vulnerable households.

Total GHG emissions between 2005 and 2023, including both direct and indirect emissions, from the EU buildings sector fell by 37%. This trend was largely driven by the EU decarbonisation strategy which is reflected in different legislations. It promotes simultaneous improvements of energy efficiency in buildings (for building envelop and equipment), end-use electrification in the residential sector and decarbonisation of the electricity and heating/cooling sectors. The general trend toward warmer winters — reducing heating needs — along with recent changes in heating behaviour, has also slightly contributed to reducing building emissions.

These reductions have been partly offset by the growing number of dwellings, larger average floor areas per person, and the increased use of appliances in residential buildings, all of which drive additional energy consumption. Cooling needs in buildings also increase energy use due to more frequent and longer heat waves in summer.

Estimates for 2024 indicate another slight decrease in direct emissions from fossil fuel use in buildings, compared to 2023, in a context of continuous energy efficiency and decarbonisation efforts of heating systems. Member States project the decreasing trend in emissions from buildings will continue in the future.

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 decreased in the EU over the period 2005-2023, historical and projected emissions differ significantly from one Member State to another. During this period, buildings' emissions decreased most significantly in Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia and Finland (with reductions ranging from 57% to 72%) while Lithuania, Romania, Malta and Luxembourg reported more modest reductions (ranging from 4% to 16%).

Compared to 2005, national projections of GHG emissions from buildings foresee 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. Additional measures in four countries (Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia) 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. 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 .

Greenhouse gas inventories

For the preparation of their national inventories, countries use the methodologies of the . 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 isse, 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

DPSIRTopicsTagsTemporal coverageGeographic coverage

TypologyUN SDGsUnit of measureFrequency of dissemination

References and footnotes

<div class="csl-bib-body" style="line-height: 1.35; "> <div class="csl-entry">EU, 2018, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1-77.</div> </div>
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<div class="csl-bib-body" style="line-height: 1.35; "> <div class="csl-entry">IPCC, 2006, <i>2006 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories</i>, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Hanawa, Japan.</div> </div>
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