The global COVID-19 crisis highlights the power of co-ordinated action against global problems
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In observance of widespread self-quarantine policies, we are spending 99.9% of our time inside of our homes. It is becoming clearer that people need comfortable, healthy and sustainable housing to live, learn and work in. This is especially true for the vulnerable groups, having to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table. Unfortunately, lay-offs and wage cuts by companies trying to remain afloat during the COVID-19 crisis may cause more people to find themselves in this situation.
This is a key time to ensure that clean energy initiatives are part of the stimulus packages. Coupling economic recovery after COVID-19 with sustainable energy projects will create jobs and economic activity, whilst simultaneously looking out for current and future generations, as envisioned by the European Green Deal.
The world has currently pressed 'pause' on the economy, but this does not mean that we should not think about how to couple its recovery with measures to fight energy poverty and create healthier lives for European citizens in the long term. Policies and projects focusing on the deployment of clean energy and sustainable housing result in:
- Continued job creation, including for those most vulnerable to the risk of job exclusion,
- Reduction in energy bills and alleviation of energy poverty,
- Improvement in physical and mental wellbeing of Europeans and thus, alleviation of pressure on public health systems,
- Creation a productive environment for working or studying at home - something which has proven to be important during this crisis and which might be an enduring trend long after it's gone,
- Regeneration of distressed communities,
- and a step towards Europe where every person feels comfortable and empowered at home.
We cannot yet predict what the world will look like after COVID-19 and which economic hardships it may leave in its wake, but so far a certain positive side-effect can already be discerned: our natural environment is taking a breather as air pollution levels plummet and water becomes clearer in cities where people commit to self-quarantine. Although these improvements may be rolled back when life returns to normal, this does show that coordinated human activity can have a positive impact on the health of our planet. Let this be our motivation to keep fighting the good fight, even when faced with today's uncertainties.
In the meanwhile, the EuroPACE team is continuing to work towards a sustainable future by developing effective and lasting home renovation programs. We are in this together! |
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We remain united in our bid for a better future
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A message from the EuroPACE Consortium
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It goes without saying that, given the speed with which COVID-19 has swept throughout our world, everyone is currently faced with uncertain and challenging circumstances. All members of the EuroPACE Consortium are standing together to help flatten the curve by trading office and meeting spaces for our desks at home. We are committed to adapting to the current situation in the best way possible, maintaining the pace of our work and staying connected through virtual meetings. We are closely following our respective countries' containment measures and hope our friends and colleagues are in good physical and mental health during these trying times.
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The HolaDomus team, usually located in Olot's Town Hall, is also dedicated to working from home. As we encourage everyone to commit to self-quarantine measures to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, the team remains active and is currently available to review and help optimize utility bills. "Fem la #transicioenergetica possible!"
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"Putting the EU Green Deal in action: Upscaling sustainable home renovation with innovative financing tools" Webinar
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Join the webinar hosted by RenOnBill and EuroPACE, organized by BUILDUP
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WHEN: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 12:00 - 13:30
Innovative financing mechanisms within the home renovation sector are highly valuable and necessary. RenOnBill and EuroPACE are European Commission-funded projects leading the way in de-coupling financing from individuals.
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In this webinar, the potential of home-based financing and on-bill schemes will be elaborated on, highlighting these instruments' capacities to accelerate compliance with the EU Green Deal's objectives through leveraging cooperation between private and public actors and ensuring financial accessibility for homeowners.
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March EuroPACE highlights
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European, International and Regional Events
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On the 26th of March, more than 130 people attended our EuroPACE Webinar: “Fighting Energy Poverty: Affordable financing for sustainable home renovation", hosted by Joule Assets Europe.
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Elaborating on the opportunities EuroPACE holds for low-income households and its potency for combatting social justice issues arising from energy poverty, GNE Finance CEO and founder Davide Cannarozzi delved deeper into how we cultivate "trust to renovate". You can re-watch the webinar here. |
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On the 10th and 11th of March, EuroPACE's 5th Consortium Meeting took place in Brussels. As we are entering in the third year of the project, we have reviewed our progress and planned for the future steps. Here, the focus will be on replication of the EuroPACE model across Europe and on scaling up the HolaDomus program.
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Hiring: GNE Finance is looking for a Researcher
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This is a short term position for someone with experience in impact measurement and sustainability.
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We are looking for a mathematician or statistician interested in providing consulting and research services to develop an in-depth impact assessment study focusing on energy efficiency renovations and the market value of commercial buildings. For more information, see the job description. |
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Keeping PACE with the Latest Developments
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Relevant articles, reports, opinion pieces
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- Energy Cities published a policy paper about how to leverage the power of societies in order to achieve the European Green Deal’s ambitions. The paper stresses the importance of activating local stakeholders’ engagement and highlights the key role the Covenant of Mayors should play in the matter.
- EEnvest, one of the H2020 projects GNE Finance takes part in, published its first newsletter. You can read it here.
- Six EU countries jointly published a letter calling for a long-term 100% green energy goal, underpinning the need for setting ambitious goals that safeguard future generations' livelihoods.
- During the final ACE-Retrofitting Event, common difficulties encountered when renovating multi-flat buildings were discussed. The decision-making process in these matters has been found to be very slow; condominium retrofits take up to 3-5 years to complete. This can be improved upon by developing long-term strategies which look beyond pure energy-efficiency gains and rely on clear communication and adequate tools for stakeholders, in order to stimulate transitioning more easily from the planning stadium to execution.
- This article explores how the sharp fall in oil prices due to the current Saudi-Russia standoff might pose a threat to energy-efficiency policies, accentuating even more how we should not falter in our efforts to keep sustainable choices high on the agenda.
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Thank you for being part of the EuroPACE Community
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We look forward to working with you to make EuroPACE a success
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Sincerely,
The EuroPACE Partners
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