Heating and cooling accounts for a staggering 80% of energy used in EU households – with 75% of that coming from fossil fuels. This pollutes as much as all the cars in the EU combined. There are solutions at our fingertips, but policymakers must step up and deliver on climate targets. Here’s how.
The EU Taxonomy Regulation defines environmentally sustainable activities and introduces key performance indicators (KPIs) for buildings and construction to make a ‘substantial contribution’ to mitigate climate change. These KPIs however do not incentivise low-impact construction materials and therefore fail to cover a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions in the construction sector.
EU legislators suggested an end of fossil heating subsidies by 2025, targets to renovate EU’s building stock, and a reduction of buildings’ carbon footprint. However, the law leaves much leeway when it comes to national implementation, jeopardising its own social and environmental goals.
Together with 18 European NGOs, ECOS has sent a letter to EU policymakers ahead of the final Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) calling for ambitious National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs). These plans can set a foundation that will see the worst-performing homes and buildings in Member States being renovated, helping to reduce energy demand and alleviate energy poverty across the EU.
We are looking for a highly motivated Head of Buildings & Industry to lead our high-impact work towards a decarbonised, sustainable and circular built environment and industry.
Phasing out archaic fossil heating systems in favour of cleaner options is a must in Europe’s quest to cut energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. But only one year on from REPowerEU, European lawmakers risk backpedalling on their commitments to a fossil-free future in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and ecodesign rules for space and water heaters.
We are looking for a highly motivated Technical Manager to join our Buildings & Industry team.
ECOS, with industry players, associations, and other NGOs sent a letter to Member State representatives in the Council with recommendations for an environmentally ambitious Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
We are looking for a highly motivated Head of Buildings & Industry to lead our work on a decarbonised, sustainable and circular built environment and industry.
ECOS and 11 organisations call on the European Parliament to support a true phase-out of fossil fuels and any form of gas-based heating from buildings by the end of this decade.
ECOS is co-funded by the European Commission and EFTA Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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