EPBD-IV and WLC-GWP
The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD-IV) introduces, among other things, the obligation to calculate the CO2 emissions of a building over its entire life cycle, referred to as WLC-GWP (Whole Life Cycle, Global Warming Potential). This page is intended for policymakers, designers and instrument holders who want to know more about this directive and how it relates to existing Dutch requirements.
EPBD-IV and WLC-GWP are often mentioned in the same breath in practice, but they do not regulate the same thing. EPBD-IV covers both the operational energy use of a building during the use phase, expressed in kWh per square metre, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. WLC-GWP specifically concerns the greenhouse gas emissions of a building over its entire life cycle, expressed in CO2-equivalent per square metre. WLC-GWP therefore follows from EPBD-IV and is a mandatory component with its own methodology, which is being introduced step by step. Member States are obliged to implement this directive nationally.
What does EPBD-IV regulate?
EPBD-IV is the revised European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. At its core, the directive focuses on the operational energy use of buildings, expressed in kWh per square metre, and sets requirements for the energy performance during the use phase. New in this fourth version is the focus on greenhouse gas emissions, the WLC-GWP.
What is WLC-GWP?
WLC-GWP stands for Whole Life Cycle, Global Warming Potential: the greenhouse gas emissions of a building over its entire life cycle, expressed in CO2-equivalent per square metre per year. This covers both emissions from the point of view of energy use of the construction work in the use phase and the emissions connected to the production of the construction products used, the construction process and demolition. An extensive explanation of the methodology and the Dutch elaboration of this can be found on the page What is WLC-GWP?
Timeline
May 2024: EPBD-IV published
2025: publication of EPBD guidelines Roadmap for Member States, and start of the authority of the European Commission for a delegated act for an EU framework for the national WLC-GWP
2027: publication of the Roadmap per Member State
2028: calculation obligation for WLC-GWP for buildings with a useful floor area greater than 1,000 square metres, with a reporting obligation on the energy label
2030: calculation obligation for WLC-GWP for all new construction, with the introduction of a limit value
MPG and WLC-GWP side by side
The existing environmental performance of buildings (MPG) and the new WLC-GWP system will exist side by side for a period and differ on a number of points:
| WLC-GWP | MPG | |
| Modules* | EPBD IV | A to D |
| National limit value based on | Member state's choice | MKI based on A to D |
| Module B6 (use phase) | yes, via NTA 8800 | no (possible with MEPG) |
| Life span | 50 years | 75 years |
| Environmental indicators | CO2eq (4 indicators) | 19 indicators |
| Weighting set | no | yes, nationally determined |
| 1-point score | no (CO2eq/m2/yr) | yes |
*For the WLC-GWP calculation, all phases must be included and declared. For the definition of limit values at building level, the Member State decides which modules count therein.
The MPG will remain in force, according to current planning, at least until 2030. A political decision on the period after that has yet to be taken.
Frequently asked questions
No. EPBD-IV is the European directive on the energy performance of buildings. WLC-GWP is a mandatory component of that directive, with its own methodology that maps the greenhouse gas emissions over the entire life cycle of a building.
Yes, the MPG will remain in force, according to current planning, at least until 2030. A political decision on the period after that has yet to be taken.