The EFBWW fully supports the goals laid down in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the energy transition open up many job- and activity-related opportunities in the building, forestry, wood and building material sectors. The EFBWW sectors can all play a key role in implementing climate change policies and be part of the solutions to existing challenges.
Our main focus is to participate in European initiatives on new production innovations and processes and work organisation related to climate change goals and the circular economy.
Designing and anticipating change means making cities more resilient and resistant to evolving environmental conditions and defining best practices and strategic actions for achieving this.
In particular, we will address the needs for sustainable construction, energy renovation of buildings, energy efficiency and affordable housing, and their potential effect on workforce and skills requirements.
But there are not just opportunities: energy-reduction and climate policies will seriously impact energy-intensive industries like cement production. Together with other ETUFs, the EFBWW will continue to champion a sustainable, ambitious EU industrial policy agenda. The EFBWW believes there is still a future for energy-intensive industries in Europe, but these industries need more effective measures to better comply with international carbon emission and energy efficiency requirements. These measures need to be accompanied by policies and investment that will help bring about a just transition for workers, including the right to retraining and/or mediation towards other jobs or industries, if necessary. Sufficient EU and other funding must be earmarked to make this happen. We are also calling on the EU to tackle the phenomenon of carbon leakage, i.e. industrial activity and jobs being transferred beyond EU borders to countries with laxer emission constraints.