Europe region: Policies are being implemented intensively, and public buildings have become the focus of decarbonization efforts.

1. The new EU EPBD regulations have fully come into effect: Smart buildings shift from "optional" to "mandatory"

The revised "Energy Performance of Buildings Directive" (EPBD) of the European Union was officially implemented on May 31, 2026. The past week has been a crucial observation period for its implementation. This directive is the core regulation for decarbonization of European buildings, and its core requirements include: 

① New commercial buildings must be required to install automatic lighting control systems and building automation systems. This means that systems such as intelligent lighting have become the "passport" for market entry. 

② Starting from 2028, all newly constructed public buildings must achieve zero emissions. 

③ Starting from 2030, all new buildings will be required to meet the zero-emission standard. 

④ All EU member states are required to convert the directive into their national laws by May 29, 2026. 

The impact of the new regulations has been directly reflected in the market data. It is estimated that the global smart lighting market size will exceed 27 billion US dollars in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of up to 20%. Research shows that smart lighting can reduce energy consumption by up to 75%, and if incorporated into the overall building management, the energy cost of the entire building can be reduced by more than 40%.

2. The EU initiates public consultation on the energy efficiency framework after 2030

On June 12th, the European Commission concluded the public consultation on the energy efficiency framework after 2030. The industry organization "European Glass Association" responded by suggesting: 

① Further increase the annual renovation rate of public buildings. 

② Provide sufficient and accessible financial support for energy efficiency measures.

3. UK: Public buildings face risk of being overlooked in the £40 billion decarbonization plan

On June 12th, the British Construction Industry Association (BCIA) released a report warning that although the UK has over £40 billion in funds and policy support for building decarbonization, commercial and public buildings still face the risk of being overlooked. 

The report states that although the "Warm Homes Programme" provides a £1.5 billion long-term strategy for decarbonizing residential buildings, there is no equivalent framework for non-residential buildings. The BCIA calls on policymakers to fully incorporate public buildings into future decarbonization strategies and funding mechanisms. 

4. Germany: EPBD Transformation and Local Practices

The deadline for converting the EU EPBD into domestic law in Germany has passed, but the implementation situation is "varying". Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hamburg have set extensive requirements for new commercial buildings, while other federal states currently limit the mandate to public buildings only. 

5. France: Focusing on Thermal Insulation Renovation and Funding

In response to the heatwave, the French government announced a series of "thermal resistance plans" on June 17th, aiming to accelerate the ability of buildings to adapt to high temperatures. The measures include: allowing property owners to collectively apply for loans to install shading curtains and other equipment, as well as better integrating summer comfort into the energy performance certificate (EPC) assessment. At the same time, the construction industry is expressing concerns about the possibility that the "MaPrimeRénov" budget in 2026 might be frozen by 300 million euros.

United States region: Federal and local systems coexist, focusing on intelligent and financing innovation

1.At the federal level: The "Smart Space Act" integrates with the building grid

① The "Smart Space Act of 2026": This act has been passed by the House of Representatives and aims to instruct the General Services Administration (GSA) to find alternative financing solutions for new public buildings, in order to reduce costs for the federal government. 

② Integration of Buildings and Power Grids (42 USC 17086): The U.S. Code clearly mandates that the Department of Energy establish research and development demonstration projects to enable commercial and residential buildings to act as dynamic energy loads and resources for the power grid. Key aspects include the development of low-cost, low-power wireless sensors, data management capabilities, and standard communication protocols to enhance interoperability at the building and power grid levels. 

2. Local Practice: Denver's "Energize Denver" Program Expands

The "Energize Denver" building energy efficiency program in Denver was updated on June 11th, expanding its coverage to medium-sized commercial and condominium buildings ranging from 5,000 to 24,999 square feet. The program aims to achieve net-zero energy consumption for all existing buildings by 2040. The compliance path includes: 

① LED lighting path: At least 90% of the lighting load or 97% of the lamps must be LED. 

② Renewable energy path: It is required that on-site or off-site renewable energy should cover at least 20% of the annual energy consumption. 

③ Alternative Compliance Options (ACO): The draft for June 2026 added options such as "Electrification ACO" and "Restaurant ACO". 

3. Incentive Measures: The 179D Energy-Saving Commercial Building Deduction is About to Expire

The 179D energy-saving commercial building deduction policy of the US federal government stipulates that the project must commence construction by June 30, 2026 or earlier to be eligible. This deduction is applicable to specific large-scale public and commercial buildings and is an important tool for public building owners and energy service company (ESCO) partners to advance projects.