From compliance to opportunity Five actions to future-proof your business through CSRD and EPBD alignment

You are a critical partner in owner compliance Sustainability is becoming a core business expectation—and building owners are under growing pressure to respond. This is reshaping how buildings are designed, built, and operated, with ripple effects across the entire value chain.

Two key regulations are shaping this shift in the EU: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

The CSRD focuses on transparent sustainability disclosures for large enterprises, while the EPBD enforces stricter energy performance standards for public and non-residential buildings and those undergoing major renovations.

Together, they are creating new expectations for building performance, carbon reporting, and energy efficiency.

These shifts will have cascading effects across the entire ecosystem—from architects and engineers to contractors, manufacturers, and material suppliers.*

For ecosystem partners, this is a strategic moment. Those who move early can strengthen owner relationships, expand their offerings, and unlock new revenue—turning compliance into business resilience.

* In February 2025, the European Commission has proposed to adjust certain aspects of the CSRD, including the scope and application timeline, but the core aspects of the directive are expected to remain.

Beyond compliance: the role of the ecosystem Building owners can’t meet these regulatory demands alone. They will increasingly rely on partners to deliver the data, materials, and expertise required for compliance—and to do so efficiently.

Whether it’s providing accurate Scope 3 carbon data, supporting lifecycle assessments, or offering compliant materials and technologies, ecosystem partners will play a decisive role in how quickly and effectively the built environment transitions.

While these regulations originate in the EU, their impact is broader. The CSRD, for example, applies not only to EU-based companies but also to non-EU companies generating significant revenue within the EU. These directives are setting a benchmark that’s likely to influence global practices. Aligning with them today means staying ahead of tomorrow’s expectations, regardless of the region.

02 | From compliance to opportunity

Introduction

Owners subject to CSRD will need to report Scope 3 emissions, which include upstream and downstream impacts—making emissions data from partners essential. Meanwhile, the EPBD pushes for improved building performance, requiring energy-efficient materials, advanced HVAC systems, and optimized insulation.

Evaluate which elements of these regulations apply to your business. Can you supply low-carbon materials? Streamline retrofitting? Provide data owners need? Defining your compliance role now will strengthen your value proposition and prepare your operations for what’s ahead.

Owners increasingly seek tailored services to help meet compliance goals. This creates an opening to expand your offerings.

Consider developing: • Lifecycle carbon assessments • Energy efficiency consulting • Circular economy strategies • Material traceability tools

For example, engineering and consultancy firm Ramboll has embedded sustainability impact frameworks across its projects—standardizing sustainable practices and establishing itself as a critical compliance partner.

Define your role in compliance

Develop sustainability services01 02

03 | From compliance to opportunity

With sustainability reporting becoming more granular, clients will prioritize partners that provide transparent, verifiable data. That includes information on embodied carbon, energy use, materials reuse, and waste.

Start by understanding the data your clients need. Then invest in tools to automate data collection, streamline reporting, and align with emerging standards like the EU’s digital product passport and circular economy frameworks.

The more integrated your data strategy, the more indispensable your business becomes.

Digital solutions like BIM, digital twins, and lifecycle assessment tools are rapidly becoming essential for regulatory alignment and performance optimization.

By embedding emissions tracking and compliance data into your design and construction workflows, you can:

• Streamline regulatory reporting • Reduce material waste • Improve project performance • Provide predictive insights for retrofit

planning

Ramboll, for instance, is using BIM and lifecycle tools to meet EPBD energy performance targets while reducing costs and increasing efficiency for clients.

Strengthen your data strategy

Leverage digital tools for compliance03 04

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05 | From compliance to opportunity

The European Commission estimates that 75% of EU buildings have poor energy performance—and retrofitting is key to meeting 2030 climate goals. This represents a major business opportunity for those prepared to lead.

Public and private investment in retrofitting is growing. Partners that offer financing-aligned, regulation-ready solutions will be best positioned to scale.

To capture this opportunity, you could: • Offer energy audits and lifecycle assessments

to guide retrofit decisions • Provide or source low-carbon and high-

performance materials • Collaborate with financial institutions to help

clients access funding and incentives

Align with the retrofitting surge05

https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en

Sustainability regulations are reshaping how the building industry operates. But for ecosystem partners, they represent more than a mandate—they’re a launchpad for growth, innovation, and market leadership.

By defining your compliance role, expanding sustainability services, optimizing data strategies, leveraging digital tools, and aligning with retrofitting demand, you’ll position your business as a high-value partner in a rapidly evolving market.

Turn compliance into competitive advantage

The opportunity is clear: those who move first will help shape the future of the industry.

Sources: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) EU progress on climate action

Schedule a consultation with our experts to explore how Autodesk can help you meet regulations, improve performance, and drive sustainable outcomes.

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https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/progress-climate-action_en https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/sustainabilityform