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The study titled "EU Taxonomy: Evaluating the Market-Readiness of the EU Taxonomy Criteria for Buildings" was published in 2021 through a collaboration of several Green Building Councils from Germany (DGNB), Spain (GBCe), Denmark (DK-GBC), and Austria (ÖGNI). The research involved the participation of 23 financial and real estate organizations, applying the EU Taxonomy criteria to 62 real building case studies across Europe. Notable authors of the study include Dr. Anna Braune, Seema Issar, Raphael Montigel, Dr. Christine Lemaitre, Julia Manzano, Emilio Miguel Mitre, Bruno Sauer, Dr. Thomas Fænø Mondrup, Dr. Peter Andreas Sattrup, Mette Qvist, Wolfgang Lukaschek, Katharina Saxa, Peter Engert, and Ursula Hartenberger.
Key Findings
- Market-Readiness: The study concluded that newly constructed buildings exhibited the highest eligibility for the EU Taxonomy criteria, surpassing that of building renovations and acquisition and ownership activities. Projects with certification were significantly more likely to meet the eligibility requirements compared to those without certification.
- Data Challenges: A major issue identified was the availability and reliability of data essential for demonstrating compliance with the Taxonomy criteria. Notably, data gaps were larger concerning the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) criteria compared to those associated with climate change mitigation.
Recommendations
- Digital Building Data: The study recommends the development of centralized repositories for building data to enhance both accessibility and reliability of information.
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): There is a call to improve the quality and reliability of EPCs across EU member states, ensuring consistency in energy performance assessment.
- Portfolio Management: The research encourages strategic planning for sustainability across building portfolios, advocating for the use of certification systems such as DGNB.
- Transitional Climate Action Roadmaps: Implementing roadmaps aligned with the Paris Agreement targets for buildings under acquisition and ownership criteria is suggested to guide the transition towards sustainability.
Certification's Role
The study emphasizes the crucial role of certification systems like DGNB in facilitating compliance with EU Taxonomy criteria. These systems provide structured frameworks for sustainability assessments, helping to standardize expectations and results across the industry.
Feedback on Draft Delegated Act
Participants in the study expressed concerns regarding the ambitious nature of proposed changes in the draft Delegated Act issued by the European Commission. They suggested that a balanced approach is necessary to ensure the market's acceptance and uptake of these criteria.
Conclusion
The study highlights the necessity of integrating robust data management practices and certification processes to bolster compliance with sustainability criteria in financial transactions related to buildings. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the recommended strategies, stakeholders can enhance the market-readiness of the EU Taxonomy criteria, ultimately contributing to the advancement of sustainable housing across Europe.