Efficient Buildings Europe at the European Parliament's hearing on housing affordability in times of high energy costs

On 24 June, our Secretary General, Rémi Collombet, contributed as an invited expert to the public hearing on housing affordability in times of high energy costs, organised by the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union.

With Europe facing yet another heatwave, the discussion could not be more timely. Inefficient buildings are not only a winter problem. They are an affordability trap all year round, exposing households to cold, heat and volatile energy prices.

Energy efficiency solutions address all these issues and are already mature: insulation, efficient windows, heat pumps, district heating, controls, shading, lighting, BIM and water-saving equipment.

Rémi’s recommendations were simple:

• Give households and industry predictable, long-term support for building renovation and decarbonisation.
• Implement what has been agreed: the EPBD, EED, RED and ETS2, and make the most of remaining EU funds to support renovations, starting with the worst-performing buildings.
• In the coming months, unlock private finance at scale and deliver an ambitious post-2030 framework for energy efficiency.

Efficient buildings are housing policy. The technologies exist. The industry is ready. Now it is time to improve our buildings at scale.

Read our reaction to Parliament’s draft report on the EU housing crisis.