Energy-efficient buildings should be ‘new normal’, says EU’s Simson

(EurActiv, 21 Apr 2021) The European commissioner for energy, Kadri Simson, on Tuesday (20 April) underlined the importance of the ‘Renovation Wave’ strategy in combating energy poverty in the European Union, saying that sustainable, energy-efficient buildings should be “the new normal”.

The fact that there is currently “no standard definition of energy poverty,” given that member states develop their own criteria according to national contexts, makes the European ‘Renovation Wave’ strategy all the more important, said Simson, who was speaking at a virtual session on energy poverty hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee.

The protection of citizens’ right to affordable energy housing is one of the basic principles of the ‘Renovation Wave’ strategy, the Commissioner pointed out, stressing that sustainable, energy-efficient buildings should be “the new normal”.

According to Simson, energy poverty is not direct and depends on issues such as low rents and low energy efficiency.

While energy poverty persists in the European Union, the digital and green transition “cannot happen at full speed,” Simson continued, stressing that “Europe needs to be an example of the successful transition that supports the adoption of renovation solutions for all populations,” making the most of EU funding programmes.

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EurActiv, 21 Apr 2021: Energy-efficient buildings should be ‘new normal’, says EU’s Simson