Fundamental rights and housing in the EU’s climate and energy transition

While buildings are responsible for one third of energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU, about 75% are still not energy-efficient. Based on data collection in the EU-27 and three FRA observer countries (Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia) as well as fieldwork case studies in 10 selected EU Member States, this report identifies fundamental rights implications, challenges and gaps of energy renovation programmes in the context of residential buildings. It shows that despite repeated references to the principle of “just transition”, concrete fundamental rights safeguards are very often missing. As such, it calls for a human rights-based approach to shape more effective and inclusive measures, which would systematically integrate low-income households, older people, people with disabilities, tenants and other vulnerable consumers in the design and implementation of renovation policies.