As the gas crisis intensifies across Europe, millions more people are at risk of energy poverty this winter.
EU leaders continue to vie for an appropriate response, but they can’t see the opportunity in front of them: the building directives scheduled for next week.
It’s time for the EU to not only manage damage, but also renovate 35 million homes and fulfill its commitment to work on moldy, moist and unsafe homes in Europe, one of the root causes of energy poverty. came.
Even before the energy crisis, one in four EU households was unable to adequately light, heat, or cool their homes. Energy poverty continues to hurt those who live in aging European homes and who have the least contribution to the climate crisis, but it is under the brunt of the bill.
Damage management to protect vulnerable homes is very important this winter, but it alone cannot solve the energy crisis or eradicate energy poverty. What is needed is a long-term solution to tackle one of the most important causes of energy poverty, inadequate housing that negatively impacts people’s health and energy prices.
Approximately 75% of the EU’s building stock is considered inefficient, leading to an estimated public health burden of over € 140 billion annually.
But so far, leaders have only provided lip services to deal with leaky buildings in Europe, but the latest leaks in the Building Directive are the regulations needed to invest in deep refurbishment programs. And unable to fund, making vulnerable households cold.
“When the EU not only manages damage, but also remodels 35 million homes and fulfills its commitment to work on moldy, moist and unsafe homes in Europe, one of the root causes of energy poverty. Has come. “
Last year, the European Commission promised to tackle energy poverty by including 35 million home renovations in its 2020 Renovation Wave strategy. However, according to the current leak on the revision of the Building Energy Performance Directive scheduled for next week, they still seem reluctant to aggressively cross the threshold in people’s homes.
This will be a missed opportunity as the benefits of the Green Deal are and should be felt most in our homes. The green deal needs to be concrete and part of the reality of EU citizens involved in the resolution of climate change.
But more and more grassroots activists across Europe need to take action as governments demand that draft homes be insulated to address climate emissions, reduce energy poverty and improve public health. It is increasing.
The Right to Energy Union aims to bring together trade unions, NGOs and social justice groups to put energy poverty on the legislative agenda and encourage governments to subsidize renewable energy and vulnerable home rehabilitation programs.
In a recent open letter to the European Commission, the Union urges the EU to fulfill its commitment to deeply innovate energy-poor families.
Achieving the goals of Renovation Wave plays a vital role in improving the lives and living conditions of millions of Europeans. Studies have shown that major refurbishments can reduce household electricity bills by more than € 400 a year.
And it’s not just people who benefit. Efficient housing significantly reduces carbon emissions, reduces heating demand by 60%, and reduces gas consumption to the equivalent of 25 of the world’s largest LNG gas carriers each year.
“Will the Commission act or miss the ship? Future revisions to the Building Directive will bring the most specific benefits of the Green Deal by alleviating energy poverty, reducing carbon dioxide and providing greens. An important opportunity to demonstrate and directly improve people’s daily lives. Local work. “
So will the committee act or will it miss the boat? Future revisions to the Building Directive demonstrate the most specific benefits of Green Deal by alleviating energy poverty, reducing carbon emissions and providing environmentally friendly local employment, and people’s daily lives. This is an important opportunity to improve directly.
A clear way for the Commission to fulfill its promise is to provide the housing sector with the required Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) to encourage major renovations of the worst performing buildings.
However, MEPS alone cannot tackle energy poverty. These must be complemented by social safeguards, ambitious goals for 2030, and thorough refurbishment standards to ensure adequate and affordable housing for households who need them most. ..
Decision makers need to be aware that it is time to act, as the gas crisis acts as a severe warning. The wave of refurbishment must be more than a ripple and prevent vulnerable people from being left on the shore. It would be a tragedy if the EU did not stick to this raft during the challenges posed by the climate crisis.
Everyone deserves a dignified life in a decent home that does not contribute to the climate crisis, with access to affordable clean energy. Everyone feels the benefits and it is worth participating in the EU Green Deal. Now is the time to provide major refurbishment to energy-deficient homes across Europe.
