This paper attempts to alter a prevailing assumption that buildings use energy to an understanding that in fact, people use energy. Therefore, to successfully accelerate the transition to a low-carbon society and economy more emphasis should be on motivating people and increasing their awareness leading to an energy efficient building use. In this context, this paper provides insights from the Horizon 2020 MOBISTYLE project. The aim of the MOBISTYLE project is to motivate behavioural change by raising consumer awareness through a provision of attractive personalized information on user’s energy use, indoor environment and health, through information and communication technology (ICT) based services. The most relevant motivational factors and key performance indicators (KPIs) for encouraging a more energy conscious and healthy lifestyle were defined by means of a people-centred approach, adopting anthropological inquiries in different settings located in different European Union (EU) countries. Behaviour change is achieved through awareness campaigns, which encourage users to be pro-active about their energy consumption and to simultaneously improve health and well-being.

The European Union aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, prioritizing energy efficiency particularly in the building sector. Despite significant policies, such as the EU Green Deal and Renovation Wave initiative, the rate of deep energy renovations remains insufficient, with only 0.2% annually versus the 3% required. Multiple barriers hinder the progress of deep energy renovations (DERs), including fragmentation among stakeholders, the limited coordination of RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) efforts, and a lack of systemic approaches. The objective of this paper is to illustrate a holistic methodological approach for enhancing the DER market uptake based on transition pathways theory (TPT) and is designed to drive structural evolution in DER markets aimed at overcoming their main current constraints. To this end, five key transition pathways are outlined—namely institutionalization, clusterization, capitalization, digitalization, and exploitation—and are conceived for fostering coordination, integration, promotion, and efficient scaling of innovations along the whole DER value chain. This approach was tested in seven EU building market ecosystems under the H2020 re-MODULEES project, aimed at developing a market activation platform conceived as a digital enabler for next-generation One-Stop Shops (OSSs). This project yielded practical evidence on the potentiality of the TPT frame to strengthen and empower local ecosystems through stakeholders’ engagement and cooperation. The findings suggest that the TPT-based approach tested in re-MODULEES can effectively address structural challenges in diverse DER renovation markets, and for this reason, it may be also tested and extended in other ecosystems across Europe in order to be validated as a strategic approach at the EU level for facilitating the transition to low-carbon buildings.

To achieve the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive targets and overcome slow, costly on-site renovation practices, off-site prefabrication is vital, yet existing research often neglects real-world applicability and circularity constraints. This study presents a systematic market mapping and a three-category taxonomy—Single-function envelopes, Multifunctional integrated systems, and Stand-alone installations—of prefabricated European renovation solutions. Applying a structured three-step protocol screening literature, industry reports, and EU projects, technologies were evaluated through a multidimensional framework capturing maturity, functional integration, structural constraints, and circularity indicators. Results reveal a strongly polarized market where passive envelope systems dominate, while multifunctional integrated solutions remain confined to prototype stages. Furthermore, most systems target low-to-mid-rise residential buildings, show limited compatibility with complex geometries, and exhibit underdeveloped circularity due to conventional material reliance. This study concludes that bridging the research-to-market gap requires system interface standardization, demand stimulation through Green Public Procurement, and regulatory adaptation for increased envelope thickness. Ultimately, this taxonomy provides an operational assessment framework and establishes a rigorous foundation for a future quantitative Prefabrication Readiness Index (PRI).

To achieve the European Union’s zero-emission building targets and overcome the limitations of slow, costly on-site construction, off-site prefabrication is vital. However, existing research often neglects real-world constructability and circularity constraints. This study presents a systematic technology supply mapping and a performance-oriented taxonomy—single-function envelopes, multi-functional integrated systems, and stand-alone installations—of prefabricated renovation solutions, focusing predominantly on Southern European contexts. Applying a structured three-step screening protocol across the literature, industry databases, and European project repositories, technologies were evaluated through a multi-dimensional framework capturing market readiness, functional integration, structural constraints, and circularity indicators. Results reveal a strongly polarized market where passive envelope systems dominate commercial availability, while multi-functional active solutions remain largely confined to experimental prototype stages. Furthermore, most systems target low-to-mid-rise residential buildings, show limited compatibility with complex architectural geometries, and exhibit low integration of circular criteria due to conventional material reliance. This study concludes that bridging the research-to-market gap requires interface standardization, demand aggregation through Green Public Procurement, and localized regulatory adaptations for envelope thickness. Ultimately, this taxonomy establishes a rigorous diagnostic framework and a solid foundation for a future quantitative Prefabrication Readiness Index (PRI).