In the context of the European Economic Recovery Plan, 8 billion euros have been released across the 27 member states for energy rehabilitation, including 320 million for France. The thermal rehabilitation of the most energy-consuming buildings financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), by leveraging the multiplier effect and exemplarity, will have a decisive impact on the fight against global warming. Indeed, the construction and building sector contributes 40% to greenhouse gas emissions, 16% of which is from housing.
Gaston Franco, Member of the European Parliament for the Alpes-Maritimes, welcomes the very positive outcome of the energy measures in this recovery plan: “The financing of energy rehabilitation projects not only helps to mitigate the impact of the crisis on the most disadvantaged by reducing their energy bills but also to fight against global warming and create jobs.”
Under this plan, operations related to energy efficiency and the promotion of renewable energies for the housing of low-income individuals are financed, with a goal of social cohesion.
According to the Union Sociale pour l’Habitat, in France, 40,000 households renting social housing will benefit from an average decrease of 40% in their heating expenses thanks to the ERDF and the national and regional co-financing mobilized for this purpose, according to an initial survey being finalized.
Gaston FRANCO also wishes to emphasize the social impact of these funds at the local level. In the Rhรดne-Alpes region, for example, the 12 million invested by the ERDF generated 87 million euros, creating 16,000 induced jobs.
For the European Deputy, this is a good example of the usefulness of community funding to improve daily life and wishes that citizens are better informed about what Europe is concretely doing for them. It is important to celebrate these successes and give more visibility to Europe’s actions in our territories. It’s a matter of intellectual honesty but also political responsibility. The strengthening of the European sentiment is at stake,” concluded the deputy from the Cรดte d’Azur.
