News

The Netherlands is moving towards a new, EPBD IV-aligned EPC layout . Compared to the current (“old”) label, the draft new label  is designed to be more decision-ready: it keeps the familiar A++++ to G scale , but adds a clearer set of standardised indicators  and more granular information about what drives the score  and what to improve . The version shown is still a draft  and may change. What changes from old → new (draft): From one score to a small dashboard.  Next to the label class and kWh/m², the new front page highlights additional indicators such as heat loss in winter , CO₂ emissions , share of renewable energy , and risk of indoor overheating in summer —making the label more useful for retrofit and climate-adaptation decisions.  More transparency on “why”.  The new layout introduces a clearer split between insulation elements  (façade, roof, floor, windows, doors, panels) and building systems  (heating, hot water, ventilation, cooling, PV, battery storage), using visual markers to show where performance is weak/strong.  New EPBD IV concepts appear on the label.  The draft includes whole life-cycle GWP (WLC-GWP)  and, for new builds (from 2026), an “A0” emission-free building indicator  once specific conditions are met—signalling a shift from operational energy only to broader climate impact.  Stronger link to action.  The draft label explicitly points users to improvement advice and a structured improvement journey (e.g., “Verbetermogelijkheden / Verbetercheck”), making the EPC more of an entry point into renovation planning rather than a static certificate.  For EEM HUB NL members, the key point is that the EPC is evolving into a richer data object  with mandatory and optional indicators  under EPBD IV—relevant for portfolio monitoring, customer journeys, and data access discussions (e.g., what will be available in EP-Online and when).

EEM HUB NL shares this ECB Occasional Paper “Nature at risk: Implications for the euro area economy and financial stability”  because it translates nature degradation  into quantified macroeconomic and banking-sector risk  — and makes a strong case that water-related risks  are emerging as a core financial-stability topic (not just an “E” side note).  The paper introduces a Nature Value-at-Risk (NVaR)  framework that links ecosystem-service degradation (18 services) to sectoral output losses and then maps these exposures to euro area bank lending (AnaCredit). Key headline findings include: 72% of euro area non-financial corporates  (≈3 million firms), representing ~75% of corporate bank lending , are highly dependent on at least one ecosystem service.  Water-related services dominate  the risk picture. In a detailed “deep dive”, surface-water scarcity  could put up to ~24% of euro area output  at risk under a 1-in-100-year drought  (granular approach), compared to ~9%  using country-level averages — showing how aggregation can materially understate hotspots.  Mapping to banks: around 19% of loans  are exposed to surface-water scarcity  and ~22%  to groundwater scarcity , with ~12%  linked to degraded water quality  (not additive because systems overlap). Exposures are concentrated in real estate, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, mining and construction .  A distinctive addition is “endogenous risk” (double materiality) : the paper shows how bank portfolios may finance activities that degrade the very ecosystem services they depend on , creating feedback loops that can amplify future credit risk. Water again stands out; manufacturing  is highlighted as the largest contributor to endogenous risk and a leverage point for mitigation (e.g., financing water efficiency and pollution reduction).  Why this matters for EEM HUB NL members:  the ECB explicitly positions nature degradation as relevant for price stability  and financial stability , and this paper provides a concrete analytical direction: expect rising supervisory focus on water scarcity/quality, flood protection , and more systematic integration into risk governance, portfolio monitoring, and (eventually) nature stress testing .

EEM HUB NL shares the ECB’s Climate and Nature Plan 2024–2025  and the accompanying ECB press release (16 January 2026), as they show how climate- and nature-related risks are being integrated into the ECB’s core work — with direct relevance for banks’ data capabilities, risk management and disclosures. The ECB’s update underlines that climate considerations are increasingly embedded  across monetary policy operations and portfolio management, banking supervision, and the ECB/Eurosystem’s risk analysis toolkit — including scenario analysis and stress testing (with Fit-for-55-related work) as well as the continued development of climate-related statistics and indicators . In parallel, the ECB is expanding its analytical work on nature-related risks , with a focus on understanding transmission channels to the economy and the financial system.  For EEM HUB NL members, the practical takeaway is clear: the ECB roadmap points to rising expectations on climate risk integration  (and steadily increasing attention to nature), reinforcing the need for robust data, portfolio monitoring and credible approaches to managing both physical  and transition  risks.

EEM HUB NL shares this Ecorys report (commissioned by NVDE , 9 Dec 2025) on the costs of the Netherlands not meeting its 2030 EU targets  for renewable energy generation  and final energy savings . The study, based on PBL’s Climate and Energy Outlook (KEV), concludes that under current policy the Netherlands is not on track : renewables are projected at 32% in 2030 vs an indicative 39% contribution , leaving a 124 PJ gap  in 2030, while energy savings also fall short with a 107 PJ gap  in 2030.  For renewables, the report highlights “ statistical transfers ” (buying renewable volumes administratively from other EU Member States) as a practical backstop, with estimated costs of roughly €0.5–€1.1bn in 2030  and €1.1–€2.6bn cumulative  over 2030–2034, depending on price scenarios and scarcity.  For energy savings , the key message is that there is no comparable EU transfer mechanism , meaning persistent shortfalls could expose the Netherlands to an EU infringement procedure  if targets are not met.

EEM HUB NL shares this open-access study (Ecological Economics, 2026) on socio-ecological inequalities in housing-related carbon footprints in the Netherlands . Using CBS register data, mobility survey data and life-cycle inventories, the authors show that per-person housing footprints differ sharply by income  and are heavily shaped by urban form and mobility : higher-income households tend to live in lower-density areas , which drives car-related emissions . The paper also highlights a justice angle: private rental housing has relatively high emissions linked to poorer housing quality and higher energy use , while owner-occupied efficiency gains can be offset by suburbanisation and mobility (“rebound” effects). For EEM HUB NL members, this is a strong evidence base for linking housing, planning, tenure and mobility  to portfolio decarbonisation and for designing policies that avoid regressive outcomes  (e.g., focusing only on owner-occupied retrofit subsidies).

EEM HUB NL shares this open-access academic paper on physical climate risk and bank loan pricing . Using a global dataset of ~86,000 syndicated loans (1996–2022), the study finds that firms located in more climate-vulnerable countries face higher borrowing costs —with the effect strongest for longer-maturity loans  and financially distressed firms . Banks also tighten other terms (e.g., collateral requirements, covenants, fees) as physical risk increases, and the paper shows the mechanism largely runs via higher long-term default risk  (credit ratings), rather than short-term risk. For EEM HUB NL members, this is a useful evidence base for linking physical climate risk  to credit risk management, portfolio steering, and prudential discussions .

This text describes a deliverable produced within the OneClickReno  project. EEM HUB NL reads it as a methodological paper that supports the automated creation of Building Renovation Passports (BRPs) —as required under Annex VIII of the EPBD recast —with a particular focus on dwellings . The deliverable explains how renovation “roadmaps” (BRPs) are broken down into renovation steps , each containing one or more Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs)  aimed at moving buildings toward Zero Energy Buildings . A central point is that these ECMs only deliver the intended results—while safeguarding broader quality aspects such as Indoor Environmental Quality —if they are executed by skilled professionals . From EEM HUB NL’s perspective, the core contribution is the proposed methodology for linking ECMs to specific skill requirements and relevant occupations , so that homeowners can identify which craftsmen are needed for professional implementation. The document anchors occupations and skills in recognised European and international frameworks (including ESCO  and Bloom’s taxonomy ) and also accounts for country-specific differences , as the project spans four countries. The deliverable also covers how project partners mapped ECMs to the types of craftsmen required, and then supplemented standard skills profiles with additional practical competencies  needed to apply measures properly in real-world settings. It builds on lessons from other EU-funded projects and uses tools from partner ISSO , with an explicit aim to make the approach usable independently—without ongoing dependence on OneClickReno partners. Finally, the text indicates that the methodology is not only about identifying required skills, but also about helping building owners find, assess, and ideally verify/certify  professionals who have those skills.

Now that the EU has finalised the Sustainability Omnibus, EEM HUB NL reviewed an ING analysis on what the changes could mean for European banks. ING’s main message is that the package may reduce the reporting burden for organisations that fall out of scope, but it could also make ESG disclosures more complex for banks that remain in scope. Background (as described by ING) At the start of 2025, the European Commission proposed a major overhaul of the EU’s sustainability reporting framework. This triggered a year of intense debate, diverging proposals, and shifting political alliances. The resulting Sustainability Omnibus (also referred to as Omnibus I) was approved by the European Parliament in December 2025. According to ING, while many stakeholders welcome simplification and expect productivity benefits for corporates, the overall effect could be less favourable for European banks—particularly those still subject to ESG reporting requirements.

This guideline outlines elements of good advisory practice as described by the AFM. It serves as an example of how an advisor can meet the legal requirements for providing suitable advice. This is a market consultation aimed at improving the guideline using insights from the Dutch mortgage market.

This document examines sustainability progress in the built environment, emphasizing the need for collaboration among residents, market parties, municipalities, corporations, and the national government to meet sustainability goals. Progress is stagnating, with new construction in 2024 lower than previous years due to economic conditions, capacity issues, and regulations. There has been only a limited increase in the percentage of natural gas-free homes. Energy prices remain high, with a new increase in 2025 surpassing pre-crisis levels. The end of temporary support measures has increased energy poverty, highlighting the need for affordability in a just transition to sustainability. Households slightly increased energy consumption in 2024, causing a minor rise in emissions. In the service sector, energy consumption remained stable, but emissions decreased. Heat network connections grew slowly in 2024, and heat pump sales dropped. Residential solar panel sales declined, but companies continue investing. Battery system sales rose, indicating the growing importance of flexibility and energy storage. These developments led to a slight increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Achieving climate and energy goals relies on the continued commitment of all stakeholders. eholders involved. We invite you to use this monitor as an objective basis for reflection and to take new steps together towards further sustainability of our built environment.

Over the past weeks, EEM HUB NL has contributed to the European Commission’s consultation on the “Energy-efficient buildings – portfolio framework to increase lending for renovations (delegated act)”. In our response, we focused on questions 12–25, reflecting the perspective of Dutch mortgage lenders and other financial institutions. Our input highlights, among others: - The current limitations in data availability and quality (e.g. reliance on EPC/EP-Online and the lack of access to underlying and actual consumption data), - The need for better governance and legal frameworks for data sharing, including GDPR-compatible solutions, - The potential of proxy data and intelligent data infrastructures to enable scalable, auditable renovation finance, - The importance of aligning the EU Taxonomy with EPBD IV to make “green” mortgage and renovation lending practically workable, - Targeted measures to support worst-performing buildings and vulnerable households, combining guarantees, subsidies and standardised products, and - The crucial role of one-stop-shops and independent advice in turning regulation into executable customer journeys. With this contribution, EEM HUB NL aims to support a framework that is not only ambitious on climate, but also implementable for financial institutions and meaningful for homeowners across Europe.