Building Decarbonisation Partnership highlights need for stronger links between local heating plans and building renovation strategies at EUSEW 2026
The session, "Local Heating and Cooling Plans: Operationalising the EPBD and EED", gathered representatives from the European Commission (DG ENER), local and regional energy agencies, data experts and practitioners to explore how local planning can support the implementation of the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).
Representing both the City of Mechelen and the Urban Agenda for the EU Building Decarbonisation Partnership, Ighor Van de Vyver presented the Partnership's work on strengthening the connection between local heating and cooling plans (LHCPs) and National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs). His intervention focused on the recently published report, "Bridging Local Heating and Cooling Plans with National Building Renovation Plans".
"The Urban Agenda for the EU is unique because cities are in the driver's seat. Local authorities and different Directorates-General of the European Commission work together as equal partners to tackle shared challenges. In our case, that challenge is the decarbonisation of Europe's building stock."
From policy requirements to local action
In his presentation, Ighor Van de Vyver highlighted that successful implementation depends on effective multilevel governance. Drawing on the Partnership's Case Study Report, it was emphasised that integration between national renovation planning and local heating and cooling strategies requires more than regulatory alignment. The study also identified recurring challenges, including coordination gaps between planning and implementation, limited municipal capacity and the need for stronger data collection and integration.
In addition, differences were revealed, across Member States and regions in the degree of integration between building renovation planning and heating and cooling strategies. The example of Flanders in Belgium, was highlighted, where alignment between renovation programmes and heating and cooling strategies has reached an advanced stage. However, success often remains concentrated in pilot cities or regions and has not yet been consistently embedded across entire territories.
Data as the foundation for decarbonisation
Another major focus of the session was the role of data. Contributions from representatives of FEDARENE, WE Data Europe, the EU Building Stock Observatory and the LIFE CET project OBSERVE explored how better data collection, interoperability and governance can support evidence-based decision making.
Speakers agreed that local authorities need access to reliable information on building stock characteristics, heating and cooling demand, renovation progress, energy performance certificates, district heating networks, renewable heat sources and socio-economic vulnerabilities. However, the challenge is not simply collecting more data, but ensuring that information becomes accessible, comparable and useful for planning and investment decisions.
As Isabella Katsimenis of FEDARENE and the North Sweden Energy Agency noted, fragmented data ownership and poor interoperability between systems continue to hinder effective planning.
"This results in weak integration across sectors and slows down building renovation, urban planning and energy infrastructure planning. Energy agencies have a crucial role to play as trusted intermediaries that can collect, standardise and analyse data, translating complex energy information into actionable planning decisions for municipalities, utilities, businesses and policymakers."
She also highlighted the need for common European energy data standards and interoperable data-sharing frameworks to strengthen coordination across governance levels.
A shared vision for implementation
Throughout the discussion, speakers highlighted the importance of strengthening links between Local Heating and Cooling Plans, National Building Renovation Plans and the broader implementation of the revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Participants repeatedly stressed the need for stronger governance structures, improved data sharing and better coordination between local, regional and national authorities.
As Member States move forward with the implementation of the revised EPBD and EED, the discussions at EUSEW 2026 demonstrated a growing consensus that stronger connections between building renovation planning and local energy planning will be essential to accelerate the transition towards a climate-neutral building stock.
Further reading
Two reports from the Building Decarbonisation Partnership are now public. The "Bridging Local Heating and Cooling Plans with National Building Renovation Plans" case study report is available through the Urban Agenda for the EU and presents case studies, policy recommendations, and practical guidance for national, regional, and local authorities working to align renovation and energy plans. The Partnership has also recently published its Position Paper on the next MFF "Steering the next MFF towards real implementation".
The two reports are available for download below.