Relaunching investment in social infrastructure is the key to Europe’s future
Sorcha Edwards' Op-Ed on EurActiv
Brussels, 31 January 2018 | Published in Energy, Economy, Social
There seems to be rising momentum to connect the dots between energy efficiency, fuel poverty and the EU’s broader 2030 objectives, writes Housing Europe Secretary General, Sorcha Edwards in her Op-Ed on EurActiv.
A new European Commission report estimates current investment in social infrastructure in the EU at approximately €170 billion per annum and identifies a gap of at least €100-150bn. Out of this gap, €57bn is missing investment in affordable housing, including also measures to tackle fuel poverty.
Earlier this week, the European Commission acknowledged in the most formal way energy poverty as a major challenge for our continent, launching the European Energy Poverty Observatory. This timely initiative, supported by a diverse consortium of partners including Housing Europe, may finally create the much-needed solid base of evidence that should trigger the development of adequate policy responses in the future.
There seems to be rising momentum to connect the dots between energy efficiency, fuel poverty and the EU’s broader 2030 ambitions with the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) already in place and the amended Energy Efficiency Directive under way.
Both legal frameworks highlight the effect of energy costs on low-income households and will prove to be key tools for public, cooperative and social housing providers across Europe that keep refurbishing more than 300,000 homes annually.
Affordable housing at the heart of fair growth