---
title: "Operational greenhouse gas emissions"
description: "Operational greenhouse gas emissions (EPBD IV): emissions from the energy a building's technical systems use while it is in use."
canonical: "https://gencompl.ai/glossary/operational-greenhouse-gas-emissions"
language: "en-US"
type: "Glossary term"
published: "2026-10-14T18:26:21.469Z"
modified: "2026-10-14T19:05:31.164Z"
---

# Operational greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the energy consumption of the technical building systems during the use and operation of the building.

**What does "Operational greenhouse gas emissions" mean under EPBD IV?**

Defined in: [EPBD IV](https://gencompl.ai/regulations/epbd) (32024L1275)

[Home](https://gencompl.ai/) › [Glossary](https://gencompl.ai/glossary) › Operational greenhouse gas emissions

> Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the energy consumption of the technical building systems during the use and operation of the building

## Defined in / by

- [EPBD IV (32024L1275)](https://gencompl.ai/regulations/epbd), Article 2, point (23)

Last updated: 14 October 2026.

## Emissions from running the building

Operational emissions are the emissions that come from running a building, not from making it. The definition ties them to the energy consumption of the technical building systems during use and operation: heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water, built-in lighting and the other functions listed in point (6). Emissions from making construction products, building the building or demolishing it fall under whole-life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions in point (24) instead.

The term is part of the definition of zero-emission building, which must produce zero or a very low amount of operational greenhouse gas emissions. Article 11(5) turns that into a number: each Member State sets a maximum threshold for the operational emissions of a zero-emission building in its national building renovation plan, and may set different levels for new and renovated buildings. Article 3(2) requires the plan to contain those thresholds.

The Directive also lets the term shape the standards for existing buildings. Article 9(3) allows Member States to add an indicator of operational greenhouse gas emissions, in kgCO2eq/(m².y), alongside primary energy use, and requires minimum energy performance standards to take Article 15a(1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 into account to reduce operational emissions.

Energy performance certificates under Article 19(5) must include recommendations on reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimate of the reduction under Article 19(7).

> **What we could not establish**
>
> The Directive does not set an emission factor per energy carrier, so the operational emissions of the same building depend on national calculation rules. This entry fixes the term. It does not decide whether the term catches your institution; counsel decides that.

## Questions and answers

### What is the difference between operational and whole-life-cycle emissions?

Operational emissions come from the energy used by the technical building systems while the building is in use. Whole-life-cycle emissions also include production and transport of construction products, construction, replacement and demolition.

### Who sets the limit on operational emissions for a zero-emission building?

Each Member State, in its national building renovation plan, under Article 11(5) of EPBD IV.

## Sources

- [Directive (EU) 2024/1275 on the energy performance of buildings (recast)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1275/oj/eng) (EUR-Lex · 8 May 2024)

## Related content

### Regulation

- [Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV)](https://gencompl.ai/regulations/epbd): EPBD IV is Directive (EU) 2024/1275, the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The Netherlands put its first tranche into force on 29 May 2026 (Stb. 2026, 103), with duties staged to 2033: recharging points in existing car parks from 1 January 2027, solar and lighting control from 1 January 2028. Energy label D by 2030 is still a proposal.