New construction: what changes with the government's relaxation of environmental standards

New construction in France: RE2020 regulations relaxed from July 2026 to boost housing

From July 2026, the government is relaxing certain energy performance requirements of the environmental regulations for new buildings (RE2020). These regulations impose carbon emission thresholds that must not be exceeded when constructing a building in France.

"We are correcting rigidities in the RE2020 which, in some cases, led to absurdities: giving up a balcony, a terrace, a more comfortable ceiling height, simply to respect a technical threshold," explains the entourage of the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Vincent Jeanbrun.

In this context, the executive has decided to reduce the carbon impact attributed to certain comfort features in new construction, including balconies, terraces, loggias or ceiling heights exceeding 2.50m.

Another key measure for the real estate sector: in order to facilitate building extension projects, the decree published on Friday provides for an exemption from the requirements of the RE2020, provided that these extensions do not exceed 30% of the pre-existing surface area of ​​the building.

The decree also provides for an increase in the maximum carbon emission threshold for high-rise buildings, in order to better take into account existing technical constraints, particularly in terms of fire safety.

Regarding buildings connected to a district heating network, a change is also being introduced. Until now, these buildings were penalized if they installed collective air conditioning, particularly in offices. From now on, the carbon footprint of this equipment will be reduced.

"Every unnecessarily rigid standard means one less project, one less housing for the French," argues the minister's entourage, who assure that they are maintaining "a high ecological standard".

A key building sector in the carbon footprint in France

By taking into account the entire life cycle of a building – material manufacturing, construction, use and end of life – the building sector represents a quarter of France's carbon footprint. It is thus one of the highest-emitting sectors, second only to transportation.

Entering into force in January 2022 for all new construction in France, RE2020 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit the energy consumption of buildings and improve their comfort in the face of heat episodes.

This environmental regulation also provides for a progressive strengthening of requirements, with thresholds set for 2025, 2028 and 2031.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.