Keeping our homes at a comfortable temperature all year round through heat pumps
Renewable heating and cooling technologies are essential in keeping European homes comfortable all year round – come rain come shine. With the added bonus of reducing the carbon footprint of out outdated building stock. Europe can and must transition to a warmer, greener and fairer built environment by banking on a different energy system. Continue […]
Energy poverty is rooted in structural inequalities making gender-transformative solutions crucial
Written by Pia Wieser (she/her), Energy, Gender & Climate Project Manager at Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) Germany. Written by Marilys Louvet (she/her), Energy, Gender and Climate Project Manager at Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) Germany. Around 10.6% of European Union (EU) citizens were affected by (winter) energy poverty in 2023 […]
From policy to action: advancing building decarbonisation and social justice in Italy
Written by Francesca Canali, Policy and Project Coordinator at MIRA network 2025 is a crucial year for the future of building decarbonisation in Europe. By the end of the year, EU Member States are required to present the first draft of their National Building Renovation Plan. In Italy, a major renovation is urgently needed: the […]
Making Europe more resilient through insulating our homes
Insulation is an essential ‘tool’ for delivering deep home renovations. They offer thermal comfort, lower energy bills and drive down carbon emissions. Continue reading to find out more about why they’re essential for the success of the green energy transition. The European housing crisis is not just about affordability—it’s also about energy efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. […]
New action! Building better homes for better lives, one sticker at a time
The Build Better Lives campaign has launched a special activity for decisionmakers in which they get to renovate their very own DIY paper house from the comfort of their desks. They will find out how much they can save in energy consumption and bills by collecting renovation “tools” to transition to an energy efficient home […]
What’s the deal with one-stop-shops?
One-stop-shops are an essential ‘tool’ for delivering home renovations. They offer an essential service that simplifies the journey toward creating decent, energy-efficient, and homes for all. Continue reading to find out more about why they’re essential for the success of the green energy transition. Simplifying the renovation process Having to navigating the technical and financials […]
Balancing act: the role of sufficiency in ensuring both fair housing and sustainability in Europe’s just transition
Written by Laetitia Aumont, Policy Officer for Circular and Carbon Neutral Built Environment at the European Environmental Bureau. Affordable housing is a top priority for the new Commission, as highlighted by Ursula von der Leyen in her Political Guidelines and with the introduction of the EU’s first energy and housing commissioner. This crucial step to […]
Leading the way: Insights from the Colonel Bourg social housing project, an affordable & sustainable housing solution for all.
Last month, despite the wind and rain, supporters of the Build Better Lives campaign made the journey out to the Colonel Bourg social housing project in the neighbourhood of Reyers in the heart of Schaerbeek, Brussels, to see how affordable & sustainable housing projects are building better lives.
Home is where your health is
Extreme drought in Summer, floods in Autumn, cold winters…anxiety, asthma, arthritis…for people in some parts of Europe, energy poverty has become an all-year-round worry. Many people find it difficult to live within their homes due to these health risks, even some would rather spend their time in a warm bus or in the public library.
Better and healthier households will improve the quality of life for all generations
Improving building policy in the European Union is not just a matter of enhancing energy efficiency; it is a crucial instrument in the fight against energy poverty and health inequity. Current estimates reveal a staggering number; over 50 million households suffer from a lack of adequate energy services in the home, significantly affecting their physical and mental health.