Paint and Coatings Industry News

Main News Page

Green Buildings to Save European Union?

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

More items for Maintenance + Renovation

The European Commission (EC) has developed a new strategy focused on energy-efficient buildings and sustainable technologies to help boost the construction and job markets in the European Union.

The action plan will also promote growth for the struggling European economy in general, the EC said in formally announcing the strategy.

Simsalabimbam / Wikimedia Commons

Building and infrastructure work fell by 17% between January 2008 and April 2012 across the European Union member states.

“In the current severe economic and social crisis, low-energy buildings are safe and viable investments for society and private investors,” said EC Vice President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship.

Among the program’s main goals: renovation and maintenance of existing building stock.

‘Unleashing Potential’

Tajani said the construction sector, which accounts for more than 10% of employment in the EU, should view energy-efficient buildings as an “opportunity to innovate and attract new talent.”

“New technologies offer a big potential, not only for new houses, but also for renovating millions of existing buildings to make them highly energy-efficient, in line with the EU 2020 objectives.”

The EC said it would organize a “high-level forum” to oversee the implementation of the strategy and recommend any necessary adjustments or initiatives.

Strategic Action

The proposed actions include the following, the EC reports.

• Stimulate favorable investment conditions by renovating and maintaining buildings and infrastructure and by promoting financial tools, such as loan guarantees or project bonds.

• Boost innovation and improve labor qualifications and mobility by promoting the sharing of information on employment, curricula and employers’ needs.

• Improve resource efficiency and environmental performance by promoting mutual recognition of sustainable construction systems in the EU.

• Provide standard design codes of practice for construction companies, making it easier for them to work in member states.

• Foster the global position of European construction enterprises to stimulate good practice and sustainable standards.

EC said the 27 member states are in dire need of a construction strategy, due to the region’s financial and economic crisis, the bursting of the housing bubble, and the constant need for skilled laborers in the construction sector.

Building and infrastructure work fell by 17% between January 2008 and April 2012 across the EU-27, the EC reported.

Comment from John Fauth, (8/9/2012, 8:39 AM)

As a jobs program, the actual efficacy of or need for these green renovations becomes immaterial.

Comment from Tom Schwerdt, (8/22/2012, 4:45 PM)

Sure, you can say that pure "jobs program" can consist of digging a hole, then filling it back in. I'd rather have the job be doing something useful, preferably with a long-term benefit. Making buildings more energy efficient fits both of those criteria. If the government is paying for the jobs program, may as well use it to get long-term facilities cost savings out of it.

Comment from John Fauth, (8/24/2012, 8:31 AM)

Given the choice between digging and filling holes, and greening buildings, I would choose the latter as a jobs program. But as a jobs program (that is the major purpose of the program), most (not all) Keynesian government construction projects have many shortcomings. Once built, the jobs cease to exist. Money spent on the project is removed from private enterprise, limiting its ability to create sustained jobs. Our own stimulus has proven (again) that these government make work jobs do not stimulate the economy in any sustainable fashion. Are these renovations taking place on government buildings, or privately owned buildings? If these jobs are being created to renovate privately owned buildings, think of the enormous political influence created by determining whose building will and won't be renovated. I'll bet the politicians have already thought of that. Hmmmmm... come to think of it, maybe the jobs created or saved are their own.