This draft Decree would lay down carbon footprint limit values for new buildings. The Decree would not directly regulate individual construction products or services

Government Decree on carbon footprint limit values for new buildings.

Pursuant to Section 38 a of the Building Act (751/2023), it is proposed by Government Decree to establish carbon footprint thresholds by use category for the following types of new buildings: 1) terraced houses; 2) blocks of flats; 3) office buildings and health centres; 4) commercial buildings, department stores, shopping centres, retail buildings, shopping halls, theatres, opera houses, concert halls, congress halls, cinemas, libraries, archives, museums, art galleries and exhibition halls; 5) accommodation building, hotel, dormitory, service housing, retirement home and nursing home; 6) educational building and kindergarten; 7) sports hall; 8) hospital; 9) storage building with a useful floor area of more than 1 000 m², transport building, swimming pool and ice rink. In the case of a new building, it must be below the carbon footprint limit value per use category as set out in this draft Decree. This draft Decree would also provide for specific situations where it would be permissible to exceed the limit value.

Compliance with the carbon footprint limit value of buildings shall be demonstrated by the climate report to be prepared for the final inspection. The limit value applies only to new buildings and does not concern renovations and alterations, the addition of space included in floor area and the extension of buildings. The limit values are to enter into force at the beginning of 2026. They are intended to be tightened for the first time in 2028 in accordance with the draft Decree.