These graphs show the changes in emissions, emissions drivers, and policy in the Buildings sector in the EU
Emissions Building emissions in the EU27
Emissions associated with direct fuel combustion in the buildings sector fell, but were offset by a shift from direct to indirect emissions due to a rise in electricity consumption.
Emissions Drivers Impacts of drivers on residential emissions
Population increase and smaller households- which led to more buildings and total floorspace —increased residential emissions. However, these factors were more than offset by increases in energy efficiency and renewable energy and a shift to electricity from other fuel sources.
Policy EU policy towards referigerating appliances
The increasing strictness of labeling standards for refrigerators, introduced in 1995 and updated regularly, demonstrated how EU efficiency standards ratcheted up over the last several years. The efficiency of the worst permissible label now exceeds the top category from 1995.