Global sustainability – a major challenge
Climate change
Our climate is changing. To slow the current rate of global warming, we need to dramatically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. In Europe, 40% of our energy use is consumed in buildings. This is more than the energy used by industry or transport. One of the easiest and most important ways we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions is through insulating our buildings.
An efficient economy
Environmental goals are not the only thing that greater energy efficiency can achieve. Every year, Europeans burn billions in heating and cooling their buildings..
Half of all of the energy used by buildings in Europe could be saved through simple measures like insulation.
Energy security
Improved energy efficiency will also help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Oil and gas supplies are shrinking fast. It’s time we stopped wasting such precious resources on inefficient buildings.
Employment
Working to improve levels of energy efficiency in buildings can create hundreds of thousands of green collar jobs. Ambitious strategies to improve energy efficiency in local communities will result in the creation of local jobs, which will in turn support the local economy.