The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD): A Game-Changer for European Building Sustainability With Stephen Barrett of the IGBC
Description
Is Europe on the cusp of a green building revolution? Find out in this podcast episode.
In this episode of Constructive Voices, we’re joined by Stephen Barrett, the driving force behind Ireland’s transition to whole-life carbon assessment in construction. (Bookmark this page for the release date of 29th July)
As Programme Manager at the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), Stephen is at the heart of implementing the updated Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)—a policy shift that’s set to transform how we design, construct, and assess buildings across Europe.
Whether you’re a building designer, material supplier, or policy watcher, this is the insight you need to prepare for what’s coming.
"Don’t worry about the result—just begin assessing. It’s the act of questioning your design that starts to change behaviour." — Stephen Barrett, IGBC
Who Should Listen?
Architects, engineers & building designers
Construction managers & BIM specialists
Sustainability officers & ESG consultants
Policy makers & local authorities
Students and educators in built environment studies
Key Topics Covered
What the updated EPBD really means—and why it’s a "starting gun" for industry change.
Why lifecycle carbon is overtaking energy as the key metric in building performance.
The vital role of BIM (Building Information Modelling) in meeting new EU carbon targets.
Open source vs proprietary BIM platforms: How to start now, without breaking the bank.
Lessons from the Nordics, and how Ireland’s ahead of the curve with its prototype methodology.
What the construction industry must do before 2030 to stay compliant—and competitive.
Why your old tools won’t cut it anymore—and how new platforms like One Click LCA are changing the game.
Simple advice for professionals: Start assessing now—don’t fear the results.
"If we design with carbon in mind from the beginning, we won’t just build better—we’ll change the entire supply chain behind construction." — Stephen Barrett, IGBC
About Stephen Barrett
Stephen joined the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) in 2020 and is currently Programme Manager for Whole Life Carbon initiatives.
He has contributed to several key European and national projects, including Level(s) – the EU framework for measuring the environmental performance of buildings – and the #BuildingLife campaign, aimed at aligning public policy and industry practices with Whole Life Carbon (WLC) goals.
Stephen led the UPFRONTCO2 and INDICATE projects and is currently managing IMPLEMENT, which focuses on mainstreaming WLC approaches.
He holds an MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation in the Built Environment and brings a strong background in data management, analysis, and visualisation.
The Irish Green Building Council’s work on carbon emissions & LCA , includes the lifecycle assessment methodology developed through the INDICATE project and other resources on whole life carbon: IGBC Carbon & LCA Projects
In 2024, during World Green Building Week, the IGBC hosted a tour of Cobh, which really highlighted the role of Tidy Towns and community-led action.
Explore more about this below:
IGBC hosts week of events focused on climate action and nature-positive design
Highlights from World Green Building Week 2024
About The Irish Green Building Council
The Irish Green Building Council – IGBC, is a non-profit organisation that was launched in 2011 with organisations and businesses from across the value chain of the built environment.
These include architects, engineers, contractors, universities, professional institutes, NGOs, local authorities, energy companies, leading national and transnational companies.
All are united in one common goal to accelerate the transformation of the built environment to one that is sustainable through leadership, research, education, and providing policy input to national and local government.
The Irish Green Building Council aims to:
- Provide a source of leadership for sustainability and quality in the built environment
- Promote and assist in the provision of credible metrics for measuring progress towards the end goal of sustainability
- Provide a source of resources to companies transitioning their activities towards more sustainable practices
- Be central to the alignment of the policies of organisations seeking to achieve sustainability in the built environment
The Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) is leading Ireland’s implementation of the updated Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), with a strong focus on whole life carbon assessment.
As part of this, the IGBC is collaborating with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to develop national methodologies, digital tools, and educational resources—ensuring industry professionals are equipped to assess and reduce embodied carbon.
Through pilot projects, training, and open-source BIM initiatives, the IGBC is positioning Ireland as a proactive player in Europe’s transition to a low-carbon built environment.
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