EU Taxonomy and environmental building certifications: implications, challenges, and research pathways

Paper in proceeding, 2025

The EU Taxonomy aims to guide investments toward sustainable economic activities through a harmonized framework for environmental classification, including the construction sector. In Sweden, building sustainability has traditionally been assessed using certification systems such as Miljöbyggnad, BREEAM-SE, and LEED. Since 2021, some of these systems have begun incorporating EU Taxonomy criteria, but the impact of this integration remains unclear. Questions persist regarding whether the Taxonomy improves sustainability outcomes, simplifies or complicates certification processes, and how it is perceived by practitioners. This study addresses these questions through a mixed-method approach, combining a targeted literature review with a survey of Swedish professionals, including sustainability consultants, developers, and certification assessors. The findings indicate that while the Taxonomy is becoming increasingly relevant, professionals report challenges such as unclear guidance, limited alignment with existing systems, and a narrower scope than current certification frameworks. Concerns about greenwashing and weak verification were also noted, alongside mixed views on financial benefits. The study concludes that the EU Taxonomy and certification systems serve different but potentially complementary roles. Better alignment could strengthen their combined impact. Future research should explore how certification systems can support compliance under emerging EU policies, including the Omnibus proposal and the Green Claims Directive, and assess their long-term effects on sustainability practices in the building sector.