30/09/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 30 September, the European Environment Agency published a report on the environmental and climate footprint of buildings in the EU. With Ursula von der Leyen adding housing to the portfolio of Energy Commissioner-designate Dan Jørgensen, the EEA is advocating the renovation of existing buildings using sustainable materials, and outlines the policy actions needed to achieve this by 2050. In fact, over 30% of the EU’s footprint comes from buildings, and their use accounts for 42% of total energy consumption. Improving the environmental performance of construction will be included in the European strategy for housing construction which was announced in Dan Jørgensen’s mission letter. (FS)