Energy and climate policy for the building sector is a subject of controversial discussion. Against this background, the paper aims to dissolve the complexity and thus generate expertise for politically sustainable decisions.

Therefore a. perspectives relevant for policy implementation are elaborated from the literature (i.e. owners, tenants, producers, macroeconomic), b. their specific valuation approaches are exposed and c. regarding the current policy for the building sector discussed.

On this basis we can show that ‘efficiency‘ is a term of wide variation in the political debate, depending on which perspective is taken. We can present a conceptual model, which shows the interdependencies and interactions of the different valuation approaches. In addition, we can present minimum requirements for a sustainable policy that could be worked out from the discussion, which we use in the end to discuss the appropriateness of alternative control indicators (i. we. primary energy, GHG-Emissions or the energetic quality of the shell) to create equality of interests as a foundation for a successful policy.

The work is highly compatible with the interests of the various stakeholders. As a result, it provides a basis for policy implications to enforce energy efficiency and climate protection in the building sector successfully.