Bridging Local Heating and Cooling Plans & National Building Renovation Plans

This report is developed within the framework of the Building Decarbonisation Partnership under the Urban Agenda for the EU (UAEU). Decarbonising heating and cooling is central to achieving EU climate targets, as it accounts for roughly 50% of final energy consumption. Despite policy efforts, fossil fuels still dominate today’s energy system (only 23% by RES). Effective decarbonisation therefore requires coordinated action across building renovation and low-carbon heat supply systems, sustainable management of biomass and integrated planning supported by strong governance and data systems.

In this context, Local Heating and Cooling Plans (LHCPs) and National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs) are critical tools for implementing decarbonisation strategies. LHCPs provide municipal-level pathways for low-carbon heating and cooling deployment, while NBRPs establish renovation priorities and regulatory frameworks for energy-efficient building stocks.

The study assesses how these tools interact across 10 selected Member States, based on mapping, interviews, desk research, and stakeholder engagement, including the UAEU BD consortium. It identifies good practices, structural challenges, and actionable recommendations to strengthen integration. To evaluate integration maturity in the selected countries, a comparative analysis on legal and policy alignment, operational integration mechanisms, governance coordination, financial alignment, municipal capacity and implementation readiness and data and monitoring systems was conducted. 

Alongside the report, 10 case study reports have been developed, assessing the level of maturity and integration between Long-Term Housing Climate Plans (LHCPs) and National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs). Explore the two-page analysis reports: