Boosting the energy efficiency of buildings should be a priority to avoid catastrophic climatic change, according to MPs.
The European Parliament has endorsed proposals to cut EU emissions by 80 per cent – a move which it claims would require significant improvement in energy efficiency.
As part of the "comprehensive roadmap to fight climate change" MEPs called for new homes to be energy-neutral by 2015.
MEPs Karl-Heinz Florenz and Romana Jordan Cizelj said: "The buildings sector is where we still have the most serious shortcomings as regards energy efficiency. If we put an emphasis on classical building
insulation and the intelligent use of sunlight, we will be able to create huge savings at relatively low costs."
As well as approving raising the carbon emissions target, MEPs agreed on generating 60 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2050 and an energy saving target of 35 per cent by 2050.
We can help homes combat climate change by becoming more
energy efficient.
Among our recommendations are installing
insulation, double glazing and hanging thick curtains in front of windows.
