Page 13 - Environmental_Ecology

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2.2 Renewable energies and the building sector

The 10th “YouthGoals” reads: “Nowadays we consume in ways that our environment cannot sustain.
But our society cannot solve a problem that it is not willing to recognize”. That is why everyone, including
young people, must start taking responsibility for their actions and the impact on the lives of future
generations. Becoming sustainable is not a choice, it is an obligation. By 2020, the Commission will
propose Europe’s first “climate law” to establish the conditions for a fair and effective transition, ensure
predictability for investors and ensure that the transition is irreversible. In this way, the objective of climate
neutrality by 2050 will be enshrined in law.

The EU has already begun to modernise and transform the economy with the objective of climate
neutrality. Between 1990 and 2018 it reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 23 %, while the economy grew
by 61 %. However, by maintaining current policies, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions will be
limited to 60 % by 2050. Much remains to be done over the next decade, starting with more ambitious
climate action.

Energy production and use in different economic sectors account for more than 75 % of EU greenhouse gas
emissions. Priority must be given to energy efficiency. An energy sector-based to a large extent on renew-
able sources needs to be developed, with the simultaneous rapid elimination of coal and the
decarbonisation of gas.

The transition to clean energy should involve consumers and benefit them. Renewable energy sources
will play a key role, as will increase offshore wind production, thanks to regional cooperation between the
Member States. Smart integration of renewable energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable solutions
in all sectors will help to achieve decarbonisation at the lowest possible cost. The transition to climate
neutrality also requires smart infrastructure. The construction, use and renovation of buildings absorb
significant amounts of energy and mineral resources (such as sand, gravel, cement). Buildings are also
responsible for 40 % of energy consumption. Currently, the annual rate of renovation of the building stock
in the Member States varies from 0,4 % to 1,2 %, a rate which will need to be at least doubled if the EU’s
energy efficiency and climate targets are to be met.