Buildings
Former MEP: Brussels must not give up on EU green buildings law
Est. 15minThe European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen started its mandate on the good foot when it comes to energy efficiency policies. It must now think about its legacy and hold firm on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which is coming under attack from Eurosceptics in Italy and elsewhere, says Monica Frassoni.
Lawmaker: Football stadiums ‘not covered’ by EU green building law
Est. 7minThe European Union is currently revamping its green buildings law. Ahead of finals talks on the proposal, EURACTIV interviewed Ciarán Cuffe, a Green MEP who will represent the European Parliament in negotiations with the other EU institutions.
MEP Petar Vitanov: EU green fuel taxes ‘must not create additional inequality’
Est. 8minThe European Commission has proposed wide-ranging legislation aimed at cutting emissions from road transport across the EU. But the various taxes embedded in the proposals run the risk of exacerbating inequality if not implemented properly, warns MEP Petar Vitanov.
Expert: ‘Lack of trust’ hampers energy efficiency services industry
Est. 11minLack of trust and information about energy performance contracts are the most frequently cited reasons why some municipalities have become sceptical about energy service companies (ESCOs). In the future, greater standardisation should help overcome issues, says Nick Keegan.
French MP: Building renovation needs to get everyone on board
Est. 6minTo succeed in renovating the European building stock by 2050, all the governance levels need to be involved, from local to national, French MP Marjolaine Meynier-Millefert told EURACTIV, adding that people who cannot afford the costs of renovation must not be left behind.
Healthy buildings expert: ‘Homes cause hurricanes’
Est. 4minAt the Healthy Buildings Day (HBD) in Brussels last week (26 September), academic experts painted a vivid picture of how the edifices we spend our days in shape our lives and the planet itself.
Banker: ‘Massive positive change’ underway for building renovation
Est. 6minThe energy performance contract model can turn energy efficiency renovation of buildings into a truly popular policy objective among politicians in Central and Eastern Europe because it can be done without any use of public money and has no impact on public debt, says Ivan Lesay.
Finance expert: Small-scale energy efficiency loans deserve more EU attention
Est. 8minThere are many creative ways to finance small-scale energy efficiency projects such as building renovations, but they need to be discussed more at the European Commission level, and defined more precisely, Jessica Stromback told EURACTIV Czech Republic.
Gierek: Energy efficiency requires huge investment, but it will pay back
Est. 6minI do not exclude the 40% energy efficiency target on condition that all three stages of the energy flow are included, Adam Gierek told EURACTIV Czech Republic.
MEPs: Building renovation ‘isn’t sexy but it’s bloody important!’
Est. 9minRenovating Europe's building stock isn't just critical for meeting EU climate and energy savings targets – it will dramatically improve living conditions and health while boosting the overall economy, according to the three MEPs leading the European Parliament's work on the Energy performance of buildings directive.
Energy efficiency entrepreneur: EU targets should be higher
Est. 10minAmbitious European Union targets to boost energy efficiency can unlock much-needed private investment, Peter Sweatman told EURACTIV.com. But the current targets are not high enough, said the rapporteur on the Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group (EFFIG).
Philippe Orliange: ‘Cities must boost borrowing to finance climate action’
Est. 5minLocal and regional authorities are stepping up their efforts to fight climate change, but limited access to finance often holds them back, Philippe Orliange told Cécile Barbière from EURACTIV France.
Vella: Construction essential for circular economy
Est. 4minSPECIAL REPORT / Construction will be an essential part of the transition to a circular economy, and can also drive growth, the European Union's Environment Commissioner has said.
EuroAce: Energy Union should push EU efficiency laws
Est. 8minSPECIAL REPORT / The recognition in the Energy Union of the importance of improving energy efficiency in the EU's building stock is welcome. But unless existing measures are properly implemented by national governments, the multiple benefits of renovation will not be exploited to the full, Céline Carré told EURACTIV.
Velux VP: Policy must push home renovation for health and efficiency
Est. 4minIt’s time for policymakers at both the national and European level to incentivise the renovation of homes, Ingrid Reumert said in an interview with EURACTIV.
Top official: ‘EU unlikely to meet energy-efficiency goals’
Est. 14minThe EU is unlikely to meet its target of reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2020, but the decreasing cost of renewables means that an EU-wide approach to its funding could be envisaged, says Marie Donnelly, director of energy efficiency and renewable energy at the European Commission.