Mitigation of CO2 Emissions from the EU-15 Building Stock.

The article cites a study that examines the impact of the European Union (EU) Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) on carbon dioxide emissions of the EU building stock. With the use of a model calculation, the effect of the EPBD on the emissions, which are associated with the heating energy consumption of the total EU 15 building stock, has been examined. The model calculations demonstrate that the main contributor, which is comprised of 77 percent, to the total heating related to carbon dioxide emissions from the EU building stock is the residential sector, while the remaining 23 percent originates from non-residential buildings. Based on the results, it has been concluded that carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced if the scope of the EPBD were to be extended to include retrofit of smaller buildings.