Eva Brardinelli, EU Buildings Policy Expert at CAN Europe, reflects on the tumultuous revision process of the Energy Performance Buildings Directive (EPBD) and how this is now a starting point for European Union member states to ramp up their efforts towards holistic building renovation that leaves no one behind.
Despite however the best efforts of the climate, social and housing movements, a promising first step towards more ambitious and just legislation to decarbonise Europe’s largely inefficient building stock was continuously watered down by policy makers, who perhaps listened to the ill-advised and self-serving claims of the fossil-fuel industry and other interest groups. Ultimately, policy-makers fell short in realising the full potential of an ambitious framework for households across Europe. At least though a new foundation, albeit imperfect, has been laid for those member states keen to ensure its strong and fair implementation.
You can read the full article in Social Europe.