The EPBD II has been approved and will be published this spring. There will be a transformation period of 1 -2 years for the member states to implement the directive in their local legislation.

The most important changes are:

• All major renovations shall fulfil the same requirements as new buildings. The limit of 1000 m2 has been removed.

• All new buildings shall be nearly zero-energy buildings (passive buildings) by 2020, public buildings already by 2018 (and the energy source shall be mostly renewable).

• Member states shall set minimum energy performance levels for elements (roofs, walls etc.).

• Member states shall take measures to stimulate improvement of energy efficiency in older buildings.

The new directive will have a positive effect on decreasing energy use in buildings leading to cost savings as well as environmental benefits and potentially creating new jobs for the next, approximately, 30 years.