What is the Environmental Performance of Buildings (MPG)?
Why is it playing an increasingly important role in construction?
The construction sector is changing. Sustainable construction is no longer a choice, but a requirement. Governments and clients want to know how environmentally friendly a building really is — from its foundations to its roof tiles. The Environmental Performance of Buildings (MPG) is the instrument that provides this insight. This score makes the environmental impact of materials in a building measurable and comparable.
At Solinso, we believe that sustainability starts with design. Our solar roof tiles not only contribute to energy generation, but also to a lower environmental performance score for buildings.
Read the article about environmental abbreviations in construction
What does MPG exactly mean?
The Environmental Performance of Buildings (MPG) quantifies the environmental impact of building materials (MKI). This is expressed as a single numerical value in euros per square metre of gross floor area (GFA) per year.
The lower the MPG value, the more sustainable the building. The MPG considers the entire life cycle of all building materials used, such as concrete, steel, insulation, glass, and roof tiles.
A low MPG score means that the building causes less environmental damage over its lifetime. This makes the MPG an important tool for sustainable design, licensing and tendering.
What is the MPG used for?
The MPG is used to assess whether buildings comply with the environmental requirements set out in the Building Environment Decree (BBL).
- A maximum MPG limit applies to new homes.
- Similar requirements apply to offices and utility buildings.
- MPG is used in sustainable purchasing and GPR Building assessments.
More and more local authorities and clients are imposing stricter MPG requirements than are legally required. A low MPG value is therefore not only good for the environment, but also for your competitive position in tenders.
How is the MPG calculated?
The MPG is based on a Life cycle assessment (LCA) of all construction products used in the building. The environmental impact is calculated for the entire life cycle, from production to demolition.
The results are compiled in an environmental profile with eleven (soon to be nineteen) impact categories, including:
- CO₂-emissions (climate change)
- Resource depletion
- Water use
- Air pollution
- Waste generation
These environmental impacts are converted and added up to environmental costs in euros, resulting in a single total score: the MPG value.
The data for these calculations are published in the National Environmental Database (NMD), which contains all recognised MKI values for construction products.
New European standard from 2026
From 1 January 2026, the calculation of the MPG will be expanded from 11 to 19 environmental impact categories (in accordance with European standard EN 15804+A2). This means that the environmental performance of buildings will be measured even more accurately and that manufacturers will have to report more transparently on the environmental impact of their products.
For builders and designers, now is the time to choose products with low and validated environmental performance.
The difference between MPG en MKI
The MKI (Environmental Cost Indicator) and MPG are closely linked:
- MKI: represents the environmental damage of one product, material or project, expressed in euros.
- MPG: adds up all the MKI values of the products used and translates that into a total score for the building
In other words: the MKI forms the building block, the MPG is the overall picture.
Why MPG is important
The MPG makes the environmental performance of buildings objective, comparable and controllable. It assists in:
- designing energy-efficient and material-conscious buildings
- substantiating sustainability claims
- compliance with regulations and certification requirements
- and making environmental benefits visible in circular construction
By focusing on MPG right from the design phase, you can avoid high environmental costs in the future and contribute to climate goals.
The Role of Solinso in a low MPG
Our solar roof tiles deliver more than just sustainable energy. They replace traditional roof tiles and solar panels, reducing the amount of materials needed and giving the roof a dual function.
This not only reduces the environmental impact of the roof, but also the overall MPG score of the building. In addition, our products are durable, require little maintenance and are recyclable — important factors in life cycle analysis.
In this way, we contribute to buildings that not only generate energy, but also meet tomorrow’s environmental performance requirements.
MPG: foundation for future-proof construction
The Environmental Performance of Buildings (MPG) is the tool for measuring the sustainability of buildings. It shows how building materials contribute to the overall environmental impact and encourages conscious material choices.
For Solinso, the MPG is more than just a calculation method. It is a signpost for the future of sustainable construction — where every roof makes a positive contribution to people, the environment and energy.
