Around half of the Netherlands’ offices will not meet energy efficiency targets by January 23, when all should have at least a C energy label, housing minister Hugo de Jonge has told parliament.

Some 50% do have a label showing they are energy efficient, 39% don’t yet have any sort of label and 11% are D, E, F or G, De Jonge said.

Small offices, such as housing cultural institutions, sports groups and community centres are most at risk of being left behind, De Jonge said. ‘It is difficult for them to determine what measures are sensible and how to finance them,’ he said.

As a last resort, offices can be closed down if they fail to make the grade.

Research by broadcaster NOS has found that at least 275 government buildings are not yet compliant because they are ranked D or lower.