BRUSSELS – The European Union is announcing a major building renovation project this week seeking to cut down energy costs and polluting emissions while providing a big boost to the construction industry.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday that the 27-nation bloc “must speed up" the pace of renovations if it is to meet climate change targets and said most efforts will go to schools, hospitals and social housing.
The bloc is littered with buildings that fail to contain heat in winter and cannot keep people cool in summer, creating massive energy bills that sap local budgets but also pollute cities and the atmosphere. “Our buildings are responsible for 40% of our energy consumption," said von der Leyen.