EU working on plans for 15 million green building makeovers

The EU is poised to set out wide ranging proposals that would see 15 million buildings across the continent receive green makeovers during the next decade.

The European Commission is preparing an energy efficiency action plan that is expected to recommend a huge increase in investment in energy saving measures designed to slash energy use by a fifth and create two million jobs across the building and property sectors.

A draft of the action plan seen by news agency Reuters proposes a new European Building Initiative, backed by the European Investment Bank "that will aim at stimulating the major renovation of 15 million buildings by 2020".

It also outlines plans for a mandatory low energy building course for builders and architects, and suggests that new laws could be introduced that forces property owners to renovate the least energy efficient buildings before putting them up for sale.

The report argues that with many industries still failing to deliver significant improvements in energy efficiency there was a strong economic and environmental case for government intervention.

"Practically all studies show a lack of awareness by citizens and companies on the benefits and practicalities of investing in energy efficiency," the report said. "Many energy efficiency improvements make our industry more competitive and our citizens richer."