What is the purpose of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)?

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) primarily aims to enhance energy efficiency in buildings across Europe. This directive establishes a framework to assess and improve the energy performance of residential and non-residential buildings, setting minimum energy performance standards and requiring energy performance certificates for properties when they are constructed, sold, or rented. By focusing on energy efficiency, the EPBD contributes to the EU's broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy consumption in the building sector, which is a significant contributor to overall energy demand.

The other options do not accurately reflect the core purpose of the EPBD. While promoting urban development may be a benefit of improved energy efficiency in buildings, it is not the directive's primary focus. Regulating emissions from vehicles is related to transportation policies rather than building performance. Encouraging alternative energy sources can be a part of improving energy efficiency, but it doesn’t encapsulate the primary goal of the EPBD, which is explicitly centered on the energy performance of buildings themselves.