Comparison of Building Energy Performance Policies in the European Union and Türkiye in the Context of Climate Risk Management

Due to its significant contribution to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the building sector plays an important role in reducing carbon footprints, supporting climate adaptation, and strengthening risk management. This study compares building energy performance policies in the European Union (EU) and Türkiye from the perspective of climate risk management. The analysis focuses on the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which has developed from the nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) approach toward the zero-emission building (ZEB) target, and on Türkiye’s Regulation on Energy Performance in Buildings (BEPY), including the nearly zero-energy building (nSEB) approach, the BEP-TR calculation system, and the Energy Identity Certificate (EKB). In the document analysis, five EU documents and four Turkish documents from the 2010–2024 period were evaluated in terms of design, implementation, and management/supervision dimensions. The findings show that the two approaches share common goals in reducing energy demand, increasing energy efficiency, and supporting the use of renewable energy. While policy tools do not eliminate climate hazards, they can contribute to reducing vulnerability and improving adaptation capacity through building envelope performance, passive design, and performance monitoring. While the EU approach integrates building renovation, life-cycle assessment, data infrastructure, and quality assurance into its objectives, in Türkiye, calculation, classification, and certification processes take center stage. The findings demonstrate the potential of policies to support climate risk management, rather than a measured reduction in risk. Consequently, it is recommended that use-phase data, overheating, user comfort, and performance verification processes be integrated with energy performance systems.