A Renovation Wave for Europe

Key points:

• The EESC welcomes the European Commission's adoption of a proposal for a European strategy on A Renovation Wave for Europe - greening our buildings, creating jobs, improving lives. Such a strategy is an absolute and indispensable necessity for the European Union and its citizens – a strategy that the EESC intends to support and actively nourish with its reflections and proposals.
• The EESC takes the view that, accounting for 40% of total energy consumption, homes and other buildings across the EU need to undergo this kind of renovation wave, spurred on by the European Union, as part of a holistic approach to long-term investment in the general interest, sustainable development, health protection (including the handling of asbestos in such work), the green transition and the effective implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights with regard to sustainable and affordable housing
• The EESC therefore supports the renovation wave strategy, as it is a "win-win-win" strategy for the European Union – a threefold win for the climate, for the recovery thanks to the local jobs created, and finally for the fight against the pandemic and energy poverty and in favour of sustainable housing for all, including vulnerable people.