Compulsory renovation for old buildings, strict standards for new buildings: The EU is submitting an explosive draft law to achieve the climate targets for houses. Industry associations warn of horrific costs and homelessness.
from
Björn Finke and Stephan Radomsky
For people, houses are familiar places to live, work, and enjoy leisure time. From the point of view of the EU Commission, however, many buildings are one thing above all else: climate killers. This impression emerged at least on Wednesday, when the Brussels authority presented a legislative proposal on the energy efficiency of buildings. “Buildings are the largest energy consumer in Europe; they consume 40 percent of our energy and represent 36 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson. In order for the EU to achieve its ambitious climate targets by 2050, homes and offices, schools and factories, supermarkets and warehouses must also become more ecological. And that’s what the authority wants strict guidelines reach.