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ZEmB 2025 in Italy: Challenges, Opportunities, and What Changes in Zero-Emission Construction

With the EPBD IV Directive and the new EU guidelines, 2025 is the year when zero-emission buildings become the standard: a guide for the construction sector, designers, and property owners.

author: Internal Editorial Team
17-09-2025
3 mins to read

In 2025, European construction takes a leap toward climate neutrality with the adoption of stricter requirements for zero-emission buildings (Zero Emission Building, ZEmB). Italy faces this change in a context of regulations to be transposed, investments to be relaunched, and opportunities for innovation. Here’s what to know today, the latest updates, and how to get ahead.

The new European rules on ZEmB: what changes compared to the past

Until just a few years ago, the focus was on Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB): buildings with very high energy performance and almost negligible consumption. The new EPBD IV raises the bar, introducing the actual concept of zero-emission buildings, which produce no fossil gas on-site and rely on renewables to cover residual energy demand.

Key dates:

From January 1, 2028, for new public buildings
From January 1, 2030, for all new residential and non-residential buildings

Updates as of August–September 2025 in Italy and Europe

The Polytechnic University of Milan, in its Energy Efficiency Report 2025, notes that investments in energy efficiency in Italy are not growing fast enough to meet the required ZEmB targets. The gap between what is needed and what is being invested remains significant.

Public consultations for NBRPs (National Building Renovation Plans) are underway: these plans must integrate strategies for upgrading the existing building stock to gradually bring it closer to the ZEmB standard by 2050.

New European guidelines focus on:

Indoor air quality
Low-embodied-emission materials
Use of nearby/on-site renewable sources to cover residual energy needs
Smart grids
Efficient district heating/cooling

Concrete opportunities for operators, owners, and designers

National/EU incentives and grants: Those investing in sustainable design, eco-friendly materials, and renewable systems can access EU funding, tax benefits, and green/sustainable building recovery funds.
Rising property value: Buildings that comply with ZEmB standards will gain a competitive advantage in the real estate market in terms of value, living comfort, and lower utility bills.
Technological innovation: Emerging solutions include high-performance prefabricated materials, storage systems, home automation, real-time energy monitoring, and local renewable energy networks.
Growing role of energy communities and collective energy generation/management systems: These can help meet ZEmB requirements on a local scale, with more contained costs.

Immediate actions suggested to prepare

Check regional and local legislation to understand how EPBD IV is being transposed and which technical standards are required (envelope, on-site emissions, renewables).
For new projects, include the ZEmB concept from the start; for major renovations, plan with future goals in mind and anticipate solutions.
Continuous training for architects, engineers, construction companies, and material producers.
Constantly monitor the market for renewable technologies, low-impact materials, energy costs, and performance curves.

2025 is shaping up to be a decisive year for zero-emission construction in Europe and Italy. The rules are already in force or imminent, deadlines are clear, but the transition requires vision, investment, and technical capability. For all stakeholders: those who act early will be able to turn regulatory challenges into sustainable and economic opportunities.

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