Many buildings in Europe contribute enormously to climate change due to their old building structure – after all, a lot of energy is lost for heating and the like. A total of 14 million households across Europe will now be forced by Brussels to renovate their buildings ecologically. Resistance is growing!
“We view this environmental project as very critical. Because not only new buildings must be subject to these climate protection requirements, but also all existing residential buildings. And without holes. In my opinion, this also calls into question property rights. The EU should not simply patronize citizens through forced renovations,” said Turkish EU mandate holder Alex Bernhuber, who criticized the harsh and “ruthless” approach of Brussels decision-makers.
As reported, according to the decision of the European Parliament, all residential buildings in the Union must achieve at least energy efficiency class E. But that would mean enormous and in tens of thousands of cases horrendous if prohibitive costs for the individual owners.
Energy classes as for our refrigerators
But Bernhuber is combative: “We hope that various Member States will step up to the barricades and come to a sensible solution together with the Commission. Because the guidelines are not yet final and must first be cast into law. But overall, the eco-horizon looks bleak.”
Although he thinks the basic idea of making the sector responsible for two-thirds of emissions climate-friendly by means of energy classes comparable to refrigerators is in principle sensible: “But without this environmental dictate, which is financially unfeasible for many, reasons alone.”
Social climate fund to support poorer households
If things go according to the plans of the Brussels bureaucrats, all homes in the EU should meet a minimum energy standard by 2033. For old buildings, this naturally means that there is a need for renovation. Roofs, walls, windows and doors would have to be replaced for millions or everything would have to be insulated from the ground up.
The new Social Climate Fund aims to support poorer households in insulating their homes, switching to renewable heating or switching from petrol and diesel cars to eco-mobility. EU mandatary Günther Sidl (SPÖ) criticizes that the fund is not endowed enough for emergency aid. His green EU colleague Tom Waitz also sees it that way.
End users must take into account higher costs
The Commission’s proposal for an annual budget of EUR 18 billion was reduced by Member States to EUR 11.6 billion. Due to the reform of the emissions trading, end consumers will have to take into account considerably higher costs for heating and driving in the future. The installation of oil and gas heating is not recommended due to the reform. Because their operation will be considerably more expensive from 2027.
That something needs to be done about global warming is evident from horrific heat temperatures in Spain, for example, where people have been suffering from a record temperature of more than 38 degrees since April. And the real Iberian summer is yet to come…
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
