EAE Awards 2026 | From EPBD to realization
Geopolitical developments in recent years have repeatedly demonstrated that Europe is still very much dependent on energy, raw material and strategic goods imports. Increasing costs showcase the vulnerability of our economies and societies to such external shocks. In relation to Europe’s building stock this increases stress as we anyhow face a housing crisis.
- Almost one in 10 Europeans is struggling to keep the home adequately warm in winter and cool in summer.
- In Europe’s major cities, pressure is even higher: one in ten urban residents spend more than 40% of their income on housing.
- The European Investment Bank EIB estimated a gap of more than 2 million housing units across Europe.
- At the same time 90% of the existing building stock will still exist in 2050, the majority of this is energy-inefficient according to already existing building standards.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said already in her State of the Union address 2025: “A home is not just four walls and a roof. It is safety, warmth, a place for family and friends. It is belonging. But for too many Europeans today, home has become a source of anxiety. It can mean debt or uncertainty.“ Therefore, the European Parliament, the Member States and the European Commission launched different initiatives to protect our societies while providing great potential to grow European economies: the Affordable Housing Plan, the European Housing Strategy and the AccelerateEU initiative to give few examples. Buildings play a crucial role.
Europe‘s building stock accounts for 36% CO2 emissions and 40% energy demand. It offers a huge leverage to contribute not only to environmental protection, but also to good health, living comfort, economic growth and social fairness. The European Union confirmed the climate goal to become net-zero carbon neutral by 2050, with an intermediate goal of a 90% greenhouse gas reduction by 2040. This requires that all new buildings comply already with the zero-emission standard and that the existing building stock undergoes energy-efficiency renovations. Then both new build and building renovations will be affordable and sustainable. Reducing the overall energy demand is a pre-condition for electrification, supports the energy switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy and helps improving the resilience of our energy systems.
The EAE Awards 2026 aim to demonstrate that energy-efficient buildings can be achieved with solutions available on the market and with existing crafts. Even more: they can go hand in hand with superb architecture. We reward and showcase innovative technical, sustainable, and aesthetical solutions. Awarded projects will be used to further promote the benefits of energy-efficient facades. Transforming theory into real buildings will help to accelerate the urgently needed market uptake and motivate building owners to recognize the full benefits of thermally improved façades.
Energy Performance of Buildings:
from vision to amazing implementation
This is the motto of EAE’s high-level event at the heart of European decision-making! The EAE Awards 2026 Celebration will take place on 9th November 2026 at the THON Hotel EU in Brussels, closest to European institutions. It will bring together around 80 experts from various EU member states, the United Kingdom and Türkiye: architects, engineers, energy efficiency consultants, European Commission, political decisionmakers, project developers, ETICS manufacturers and their leading suppliers.
Gold sponsors
Silver sponsors
The contest is organized by EAE
