Memo: Construction sector should seize excellent opportunities of low energy buildings

Low energy buildings with high CO2 saving potential still have a limited market uptake. This is one of the reasons why the Commission plans to focus strongly on the construction sector. On the occasion of the annual congress of the European Construction Industry Federation FIEC in Istanbul, the European Commission Vice-President Tajani presented the main lines of a strategy to boost the competitiveness of the construction sector which will be presented after the summer of 2012.

The proposed actions will include: 1) stimulating favourable investment conditions, in particular in the renovation and maintenance of buildings and infrastructures, by promoting financial instruments such as loan guarantees and project bonds as well as encouraging incentives at national level such as reduced VAT rates; 2) boosting innovation and improving worker's qualifications by promoting mobility and the circulation of information on curricula, employment market and employer's needs; 3) improving resource efficiency and environmental performance, promoting mutual recognition of sustainable construction systems in the EU; 4) providing standard design codes of practice to construction companies making it easier for them to work in other Member States; 5) fostering the global position of European construction enterprises to stimulate good performances and sustainable standards in third countries.