Building standards will cut energy bills and emissions (John Vincent)

Building standards will cut energy bills and emissions

May 19, 2010 3:00 PM
By Catherine Bearder MEP

The European Parliament is a place for the countries of Europe to work together on issues that affect us all, and no issue is a bigger threat to our common long term security than climate change. This issue has no respect for borders and it can only be tackled if the world works together.

I was therefore delighted this week to vote with my colleagues to support plans to see new public buildings across Europe become "nearly zero energy efficient" by 2021, and greatly improve the efficiency of Europe's existing 190m building stock.

It is estimated that buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and for 35% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. Promoting energy efficient buildings is the best way to cut this and to provide financial savings in the long-term.

Energy efficient buildings not only protect the environment but also offer a 30% energy saving over some conventional buildings. These new energy saving standards will cut energy bills for families and businesses in South East England and will help tackle fuel poverty at source.

Only 1% of the UK's housing stock is currently considered to be energy efficient. We have a great opportunity ahead of us to make our communities greener and more prosperous, but we must act now.

I promised when I was elected to work to help protect the environment and this is just one example of how I am achieving this for people in South East England and across Europe.