Energy-efficient buildings will help fight energy poverty

The EESC adopted an opinion on the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) at its March plenary session, welcoming the Commission's take up of issues highlighted in previous EESC opinions.

Commenting on the adoption of the document, the rapporteur Mordechaj Martin Salamon said that "the EESC wholeheartedly welcomes the EU approach as it boosts renovation of the worst-performing buildings in particular and sets the European Union on a path of decarbonised heating and cooling: measures at EU level are more efficient at accelerating the necessary transition."

The updated Directive on energy performance of buildings aims to help achieve an energy-efficient, high quality and fossil-free built environment, providing the tools to effectively tackle energy poverty and remedy structural long-term underinvestment in construction.

The recent sharp increases in energy prices and the prospect of high prices for at least the medium term have shown that it is more important than ever to put a strategy in place to alleviate and eradicate energy poverty. 

In 2018, 6.8% of people across the EU (approximately 30.3 million) were unable to keep up with utility bills and at risk of having their supply cut off; recent developments have made this problem worse. 

To secure decent, affordable and healthy housing for all, the EU should implement long-term measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, including the safe removal of asbestos. This is all the more urgent because fossil fuel-based heating and cooling will become more expensive with the rising costs of EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) allowances. (mp)