European cities call for more staff, resources to decarbonise buildings
While the EU is planning to decarbonise buildings across the bloc to advance the green transition, local authorities are calling for more support to face a shortage of skilled workers to design and implement decarbonisation projects.
Back in December, the European Commission tabled a proposal to accelerate the energy renovation of worst performing buildings, introducing minimum energy performance standards.
With the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the EU also aims to reduce the bloc’s reliance on fossil fuels in line with the green transition.
Decarbonising buildings is becoming even more important in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine and the tensions surrounding energy supplies.
Rethinking the system locally could be “a solution to reduce the import of gas and to reduce also the geopolitical tensions,” said Mélanie Bourgeois, policy officer at Energy Cities, a European Association of local authorities.
