08-02-08

On 30 January, as part of the EU Sustainable Energy Week 2008, 140 people attended the CECODHAS conference “Housing and the European energy Transition”, hosted by the Committee of the Regions, Brussels.

In his keynote speech, Paul-Louis Marty, President of CECODHAS, pointed out that the Social Housing sector is a key partner for regional authorities, Member State governments and EU institutions in achieving energy efficiency objectives in the residential sector. Mr Marty also insisted that a sustainable EU energy policy must have citizens concerns at its core, in terms of halting climate change but also in terms of affordability. Fuel poverty is currently a growing concern in Europe, and its impact is being felt strongly within the social housing sector. The EU internal energy market package, currently being reviewed by the European Parliament, must contain legally binding measures to protect citizens against this worrying trend.

The first session presented best practice examples of energy efficiency and the way to overcome institutional, legal, economic and financial as well as cultural barriers and obstacles, faced by the various actors involved in the Social Housing sector.

The theme of the second panel was the need for a people-centred approach to the further liberalization of the energy market  as proposed in the European Commission's so-called 3rd package. Bearing in mind the growing phenomenon of fuel poverty and the electricity price hike CECODHAS Members stressed the role being played by housing organisations to reduce the impact of these trends on end-users though energy efficiency measures and bulk purchasing mechanisms. 

Key speakers at the event included Claude Turmes, MEP, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, currently rapporteur of the Renewables Directive, who stressed the importance of laying a common strategy on the basis of further consultations with relevant stakeholders. Mr Turmes pointed out that Europe is at the beginning of a deep energy crisis, considering that 5 to 7% of the European population should experience energy poverty if the value of the U.S. dollar rises to that of the Euro; to avoid this phenomenon, courageous political measures are called for.
He also added that the European Commission should consider the Lisbon Agenda and the knowledge based economy’s principles in an energy perspective to make aware policy makers and leaders in society of the importance of taking actions in favour of energy saving.

After Mr Turmes intervention, Robert Goebbels, MEP of the Socialist Group, Vice-President responsible for energy policy, stressed the importance of fighting against fuel poverty and closely monitoring the impact of liberalisation of energy markets to ensure positive outcomes for all. He also pointed out that more should be done to increase social security in Europe; even though the right to property is constitutionally ensured, the right to housing is not really guaranteed to everyone.
 
CECODHAS will explore these issues further at its follow-up conference which will take place in Ancona on April 21st and 22nd.

Download the presentations made here
Download the conference report here