Build Better Lives’ Post

Delivering permanently affordable and sustainable housing to those most in need through deep renovation is an essential part of addressing Europe's housing and climate crises. Using the CLT approach to deliver affordable energy renovation shows what can be done with the right principles that support a #JustTransition. Stay tuned for more on that soon!⏳👀 The European CLT Network hopes the new European Parliament Special Committee on #Housing agrees that Europe needs to strengthen its commitments to #BuildBetterLives using renovation in response to Europe's Housing Crisis.

Housing Europe, alongside leading organisations that want the EU to be truly Fit for 55, are asking Members of the European Parliament about their New Year Renovation plans. 720 MEPs can now renovate their very own DIY paper house from the comfort of their desks and find out how much they can save in energy consumption and bills by collecting renovation “tools” to transition to an energy efficient home by the end of the year. A year ago, Housing Europe called for key actions to back the movement for a fair energy transition ⬇️ ➡️ Beyond renovation, EU green policies should include low-carbon housing supply targets to meet growing demand. ➡️ Simplify access to the 19 EU funding and financing streams currently available, attaching clear conditionally on social criteria. ➡️ Encourage district decarbonisation which addresses local needs for housing that is affordable, age-adapted, well-connected, and uses local resources. ➡️ Broaden the approach to renovation and circularity to foster local supply chains, quality job creation, social enterprise, and biodiversity. ➡️ Harness the potential of digital and tech advances for a fair energy transition.

We are thrilled to see this economic and environmental investment by the Biden Administration in rural communities! Rural communities are a critical part of meeting our sustainability goals and connecting our clean energy corridors to move commercial freight transportation across our country. "Rural communities, with their small populations and isolation from larger electrical systems, grapple with unique energy challenges. These include high electric bills, high fuel costs, and unreliable energy supplies — or lack of access to electricity altogether. At the same time, rural communities have untapped potential for generating clean energy." Clean Energy Now is committed to ensuring rural communities are catapulted to have affordable, secure, and clean energy independence. Let's goooo!! ⚡️☀️🚀 #cleanenergy #ruralcommunities #affordableenergy #sustainability https://lnkd.in/gkeS6Hrx

For businesses with solar panels, pigeon proofing is essential! ☀️🏢 Here's why: 👉 Droppings can damage solar panel functionality over time 👉 Nesting birds can be disruptive to your work environment 👉 Feathers and guano can block gutters, causing structural problems Protect your investment and keep your panels performing at their best! #PigeonProofing #SolarPanelCare #BusinessProtection

La Crosse County has saved 💰 $3.9M since 2007 by reducing natural gas, electricity⚡, and paper usage. Over this period, our carbon emissions have dropped 59%. In 2023, electricity, natural gas, and water use fell further. New solar ☀️ panels installed at county properties this year will boost progress. Learn more in our Sustainability Indicators Report here: https://bit.ly/41LCFJ9.

Green roofs are the unsung heroes of energy efficiency! Their natural insulation properties can work wonders for reducing heating and cooling costs in buildings. By removing heat through evapotranspiration, providing shade, and improving insulation values, green roofs can significantly lower energy demand. According to this report (https://ow.ly/wo2H50SJGeR) from the National Research Council of Canada, they can reduce heat flow through the roof by a staggering 70-90% in the summer and 10-30% in the winter! Advocate for the power of green roofs to make buildings more sustainable and cost-effective! — #pwlpartnership #pwlgreenroofs #energy #evapotransportation #insulation #heatingandcooling #naturalcooling #energysmart #GreenRoofs #EnergyEfficiency #sustainablecities

Ontario has released its new and expanded energy efficiency programs for this year. The initiatives aim to reduce energy usage, and lower costs for residents and businesses. https://buff.ly/3E9KEWk #RunABetterBuidling #SaveEnergy

Free expert help is currently available to Renfrewshire based businesses who are keen to establish their carbon baseline footprint. In partnership with The University of Strathclyde, Renfrewshire Council are offering our local businesses the opportunity to obtain a carbon footprint baseline report based entirely on YOUR specific business carbon output. The results can then be put to good use in helping you focus on and achieving future business sustainability goals. Carrying out this exercise, can also be a useful tool in gaining access to Renfrewshire Council Net Zero grant funding which supports Green Economy projects such as the install of solar panels, LED lighting and / or energy efficient heating systems within your business premises. Note - this support ends shortly. If you are keen to take part, act sooner rather than later. Find out more by contacting me at robert.kinniburgh@renfrewshire.gov.uk. #businesssupport #sustainability #carbonemissionsreduction #greeneconomy #businessgrants #Renfrewshire

With states and localities set to receive billions of dollars for residential energy upgrades from the Inflation Reduction Act and other sources, the new R2E2 Playbook aims to help ensure that disadvantaged communities and local governments have guidance to leverage these dollars with energy upgrade programs that are community-led, easy to use, and use best practices. The Playbook outlines 12 key actions to help programs lower utility bills, cut pollution, advance racial equity, improve health outcomes, and build local economies. “Unaffordable energy bills, uncomfortable or even dangerous indoor temperatures, and the impacts of climate change disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. But underserved communities often have the least access to the resources needed to bring home energy upgrades to vulnerable residents,” said Ian Becker, project lead for the Playbook and Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity manager at ACEEE. “Community-based organizations and local governments nationwide are ready to meet this challenge, and the R2E2 Playbook is designed to help them implement innovative programs that center community priorities and improve quality of life.” https://lnkd.in/ezkE_WAE

So many are struggling with the cost of energy, more acutely during extreme weather to boot. While acknowledging energy inefficient housing is an environmental, economic and health issue is pretty straightforward, pathways to improved efficiency across a variety of housing types, particularly tenant occupied spaces, is complex and nuanced. This is a great resource for understanding the layers of barriers, contributing factors of energy burden, and considerations, paired with resonant examples of how to tear those barriers down and deliver greater energy equity to vulnerable residents. Great work The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)!