LegalizeCommission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2139 of 4 June 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing the technical screening criteria for determining the conditions under which an economic activity qualifies as contributing substantially to climate change mitigation or climate change adaptation and for determining whether that economic activity causes no significant harm to any of the other environmental objectives (Text with EEA relevance)
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0983] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0984], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0985] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0986] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0987] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0983] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0984], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0985] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0986] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0987] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | The building is not dedicated to extraction, storage, transport or manufacture of fossil fuels. The Primary Energy Demand (PED) [^E0988] setting out the energy performance of the building resulting from the construction does not exceed the threshold set for the nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) requirements in national regulation implementing Directive 2010/31/EU. The energy performance is certified using an as built Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | Where installed, except for installations in residential building units, the specified water use for the following water appliances are attested by product datasheets, a building certification or an existing product label in the Union, in accordance with the technical specifications laid down in Appendix E to Annex I to this Regulation: (a) wash hand basin taps and kitchen taps have a maximum water flow of 6 litres/min; (b) showers have a maximum water flow of 8 litres/min; (c) WCs, including suites, bowls and flushing cisterns, have a full flush volume of a maximum of 6 litres and a maximum average flush volume of 3,5 litres; (d) urinals use a maximum of 2 litres/bowl/hour. Flushing urinals have a maximum full flush volume of 1 litre. To avoid impact from the construction site, the activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | At least 70 % (by weight) of the non-hazardous construction and demolition waste (excluding naturally occurring material referred to in category 17 05 04 in the European List of Waste established by Decision 2000/532/EC) generated on the construction site is prepared for reuse, recycling and other material recovery, including backfilling operations using waste to substitute other materials, in accordance with the waste hierarchy and the EU Construction and Demolition Waste Management Protocol [^E0989]. Operators limit waste generation in processes related to construction and demolition, in accordance with the EU Construction and Demolition Waste Management Protocol and taking into account best available techniques and using selective demolition to enable removal and safe handling of hazardous substances and facilitate reuse and high-quality recycling by selective removal of materials, using available sorting systems for construction and demolition waste. Building designs and construction techniques support circularity and in particular demonstrate, with reference to ISO 20887 [^E0990] or other standards for assessing the disassembly or adaptability of buildings, how they are designed to be more resource efficient, adaptable, flexible and dismantleable to enable reuse and recycling. |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | Building components and materials used in the construction comply with the criteria set out in Appendix C to this Annex. Building components and materials used in the construction that may come into contact with occupiers [^E0991] emit less than 0,06 mg of formaldehyde per m3 of test chamber air upon testing in accordance with the conditions specified in Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and less than 0,001 mg of other categories 1A and 1B carcinogenic volatile organic compounds per m3 of test chamber air, upon testing in accordance with CEN/EN 16516 [^E0992] or ISO 16000-3 [^E0993] or other equivalent standardised test conditions and determination methods [^E0994]. Where the new construction is located on a potentially contaminated site (brownfield site), the site has been subject to an investigation for potential contaminants, for example using standard ISO 18400 [^E0995]. Measures are taken to reduce noise, dust and pollutant emissions during construction or maintenance works. |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix D to this Annex. The new construction is not built on one of the following: (a) arable land and crop land with a moderate to high level of soil fertility and below ground biodiversity as referred to in the EU LUCAS survey [^E0996]; (b) greenfield land of recognised high biodiversity value and land that serves as habitat of endangered species (flora and fauna) listed on the European Red List [^E0997] or the IUCN Red List [^E0998]; (c) land matching the definition of forest as set out in national law used in the national greenhouse gas inventory, or where not available, is in accordance with the FAO definition of forest [^E0999]. |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
[^E0984]: (2)
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
[^E0985]: (3)
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
[^E0988]: (6)
The calculated amount of energy needed to meet the energy demand associated with the typical uses of a building expressed by a numeric indicator of total primary energy use in kWh/m2 per year and based on the relevant national calculation methodology and as displayed on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
EU Construction and Demolition Waste Protocol (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/content/eu-construction-and-demolition-waste-protocol-0_en).
ISO 20887:2020, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works - Design for disassembly and adaptability - Principles, requirements and guidance (version of 4.6.2021: https://www.iso.org/standard/69370.html).
Applying to paints and varnishes, ceiling tiles, floor coverings, including associated adhesives and sealants, internal insulation and interior surface treatments, such as those to treat damp and mold.
CEN/TS 16516: 2013, Construction products - Assessment of release of dangerous substances - Determination of emissions into indoor air.
ISO 16000-3:2011, Indoor air — Part 3: Determination of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds in indoor air and test chamber air — Active sampling method.
The emissions thresholds for carcinogenic volatile organic compounds relate to a 28-day test period.
ISO 18400 series on Soil quality — Sampling
JRC ESDCA, LUCAS: Land Use and Coverage Area frame Survey (version of 4.6.2021: https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/projects/lucas).
IUCN, The IUCN European Red List of Threatened Species (version of 4.6.2021: https://www.iucn.org/regions/europe/our-work/biodiversity-conservation/european-red-list-threatened-species).
IUCN, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (version of 4.6.2021: https://www.iucnredlist.org).
Land spanning more than 0,5 hectares with trees higher than five meters and a canopy cover of more than 10 %, or trees able to reach those thresholds in situ. It does not include land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use.
7.2. Renovation of existing buildings
Description of the activity
Construction and civil engineering works or preparation thereof.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular F41 and F43 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1000] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1001], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1002] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1003] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1004] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1000] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1001], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1002] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1003] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1004] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | The building is not dedicated to extraction, storage, transport or manufacture of fossil fuels. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | Where installed as part of the renovation works, except for renovation works in residential building units, the specified water use for the following water appliances is attested by product datasheets, a building certification or an existing product label in the Union, in accordance with the technical specifications laid down in Appendix E to Annex I to this Regulation: (a) wash hand basin taps and kitchen taps have a maximum water flow of 6 litres/min; (b) showers have a maximum water flow of 8 litres/min; (c) WCs, including suites, bowls and flushing cisterns, have a full flush volume of a maximum of 6 litres and a maximum average flush volume of 3,5 litres; (d) urinals use a maximum of 2 litres/bowl/hour. Flushing urinals have a maximum full flush volume of 1 litre. |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | At least 70 % (by weight) of the non-hazardous construction and demolition waste (excluding naturally occurring material referred to in category 17 05 04 in the European List of Waste established by Decision 2000/532/EC) generated on the construction site is prepared for reuse, recycling and other material recovery, including backfilling operations using waste to substitute other materials, in accordance with the waste hierarchy and the EU Construction and Demolition Waste Management Protocol [^E1005]. Operators limit waste generation in processes related construction and demolition, in accordance with the EU Construction and Demolition Waste Management Protocol and taking into account best available techniques and using selective demolition to enable removal and safe handling of hazardous substances and facilitate reuse and high-quality recycling by selective removal of materials, using available sorting systems for construction and demolition waste. Building designs and construction techniques support circularity and in particular demonstrate, with reference to ISO 20887 [^E1006] or other standards for assessing the disassembly or adaptability of buildings, how they are designed to be more resource efficient, adaptable, flexible and dismantleable to enable reuse and recycling. |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | Building components and materials used in the construction complies with the criteria set out in Appendix C to this Annex. Building components and materials used in the building renovation that may come into contact with occupiers [^E1007] emit less than 0,06 mg of formaldehyde per m3 of test chamber air upon testing in accordance with the conditions specified in Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and less than 0,001 mg of other categories 1A and 1B carcinogenic volatile organic compounds per m3 of test chamber air, upon testing in accordance with CEN/EN 16516 [^E1009] or ISO 16000-3:2011 [^E1008] or other equivalent standardised test conditions and determination methods [^E1010]. Measures are taken to reduce noise, dust and pollutant emissions during construction or maintenance works. |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | N/A. |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
[^E1005]: (6)
EU Construction and Demolition Waste Protocol (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/content/eu-construction-and-demolition-waste-protocol-0_en).
ISO 20887:2020, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works - Design for disassembly and adaptability - Principles, requirements and guidance (version of 4.6.2021: https://www.iso.org/standard/69370.html).
Applying to paints and varnishes, ceiling tiles, floor coverings (including associated adhesives and sealants), internal insulation and interior surface treatments (such as to treat damp and mould).
ISO 16000-3:2011, Indoor air — Part 3: Determination of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds in indoor air and test chamber air — Active sampling method (version of 4.6.2021: https://www.iso.org/standard/51812.html).
CEN/TS 16516: 2013, Construction products – Assessment of release of dangerous substances -Determination of emissions into indoor air.
The emissions thresholds for carcinogenic volatile organic compounds relate to a 28-day test period.
7.3. Installation, maintenance and repair of energy efficiency equipment
Description of the activity
Individual renovation measures consisting in installation, maintenance or repair of energy efficiency equipment. The economic activities in this category consist in one of the following individual measures, provided that they comply with minimum requirements set for individual components and systems in the applicable national measures implementing Directive 2010/31/EU and, where applicable, are rated in the highest two populated classes of energy efficiency in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and delegated acts adopted under that Regulation:
- (a) addition of insulation to existing envelope components, such as external walls (including green walls), roofs (including green roofs), lofts, basements and ground floors (including measures to ensure air-tightness, measures to reduce the effects of thermal bridges and scaffolding) and products for the application of the insulation to the building envelope (including mechanical fixings and adhesive);
- (b) replacement of existing windows with new energy efficient windows;
- (c) replacement of existing external doors with new energy efficient doors;
- (d) installation and replacement of energy efficient light sources;
- (e) installation, replacement, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and water heating systems, including equipment related to district heating services, with highly efficient technologies;
- (f) installation of low water and energy using kitchen and sanitary water fittings which comply with technical specifications set out in Appendix A to Annex I to this Regulation and in case of shower solutions, mixer showers, shower outlets and taps have a max water flow of 6 L/min or less attested by an existing label in the Union market.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular F42, F43, M71, C16, C17, C22, C23, C25, C27, C28, S95.21, S95.22, C33.12 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1011] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1012], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1013] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1014] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1015] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1011] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1012], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1013] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1014] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1015] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | The building is not dedicated to extraction, storage, transport or manufacture of fossil fuels. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | N/A |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | N/A |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | Building components and materials comply with the criteria set out in Appendix C to this Annex. In case of addition of thermal insulation to an existing building envelope, a building survey is carried out in accordance with national law by a competent specialist with training in asbestos surveying. Any stripping of lagging that contains or is likely to contain asbestos, breaking or mechanical drilling or screwing or removal of insulation board, tiles and other asbestos containing materials is carried out by appropriately trained personnel, with health monitoring before, during and after the works, in accordance with national law. |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | N/A |
[^E1011]: (1)
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
[^E1012]: (2)
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
7.4. Installation, maintenance and repair of charging stations for electric vehicles in buildings (and parking spaces attached to buildings)
Description of the activity
Installation, maintenance and repair of charging stations for electric vehicles in buildings and parking spaces attached to buildings.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular F42, F43, M71, C16, C17, C22, C23, C25, C27 or C28, in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1016] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1017], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1018] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1019] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1020] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1016] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1017], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1018] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1019] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1020] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | The building is not dedicated to extraction, storage, transport or manufacture of fossil fuels. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | N/A |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | N/A |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | N/A |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | N/A |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
[^E1020]: (5)
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
7.5. Installation, maintenance and repair of instruments and devices for measuring, regulation and controlling energy performance of buildings
Description of the activity
Installation, maintenance and repair of instruments and devices for measuring, regulation and controlling energy performance of buildings, consisting in one of the following measures:
- (a) installation, maintenance and repair of zoned thermostats, smart thermostat systems and sensing equipment, including motion and day light control;
- (b) installation, maintenance and repair of building automation and control systems, building energy management systems (BEMS), lighting control systems and energy management systems (EMS);
- (c) installation, maintenance and repair of smart meters for gas, heat, cool and electricity;
- (d) installation, maintenance and repair of façade and roofing elements with a solar shading or solar control function, including those that support the growing of vegetation.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular F42, F43, M71, and C16, C17, C22, C23, C25, C27, C28, in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1021] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1022], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1023] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1024] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1025] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1021] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1022], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1023] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1024] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1025] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | The building is not dedicated to extraction, storage, transport or manufacture of fossil fuels. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | N/A |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | N/A |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | N/A |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | N/A |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
[^E1022]: (2)
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
7.6. Installation, maintenance and repair of renewable energy technologies
Description of the activity
Installation, maintenance and repair of renewable energy technologies, on-site, consisting in one of the following individual measures, if installed on-site as technical building systems:
- (a) installation, maintenance and repair of solar photovoltaic systems and the ancillary technical equipment;
- (b) installation, maintenance and repair of solar hot water panels and the ancillary technical equipment;
- (c) installation, maintenance, repair and upgrade of heat pumps contributing to the targets for renewable energy in heat and cool in accordance with Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the ancillary technical equipment;
- (d) installation, maintenance and repair of wind turbines and the ancillary technical equipment;
- (e) installation, maintenance and repair of solar transpired collectors and the ancillary technical equipment;
- (f) installation, maintenance and repair of thermal or electric energy storage units and the ancillary technical equipment;
- (g) installation, maintenance and repair of high efficiency micro CHP (combined heat and power) plant;
- (h) installation, maintenance and repair of heat exchanger/recovery systems.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular F42, F43, M71, C16, C17, C22, C23, C25, C27 or C28, in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1026] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1027], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1028] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1029] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1030] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E1026] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E1027], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E1028] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E1029] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E1030] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | The building is not dedicated to extraction, storage, transport or manufacture of fossil fuels. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | N/A |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | N/A |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | N/A |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | N/A |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
[^E1027]: (2)
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
[^E1028]: (3)
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
[^E1029]: (4)
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
7.7. Acquisition and ownership of buildings
Description of the activity
Buying real estate and exercising ownership of that real estate.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with NACE code L68 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
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