Build Better lives: Better buildings today, for better lives tomorrow
Buildings are responsible for up to 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption and the majority of our buildings (75%) are deemed inefficient. Most of the people in the EU live in unfit housing. Yet, for decades, there has been close to no effort towards inclusive and ambitious building policies that would support the energy renovation of Europe’s buildings. This political inaction demonstrated by EU and national policymakers has impacted households across Europe who are now feeling the full brunt of the fossil fuels crisis.
However, policymakers have an opportunity to address these issues, as the existing EU Buildings Directive is being updated to reflect higher ambitions and more pressing needs in climate and social action.
With this Build Better Lives statement, 60+ Europe’s civil society, social, health and environmental NGOs, local authorities, trade unions and youth movements now call on policy makers to ensure Europe’s buildings provide the foundation for an inclusive, fair and just energy transition that puts people at the core. The statement sets out 4 requirement for a socially and environmentally sound Building Directive.
