In its continuous endeavour to act as a central voice in the EU policymaking sphere, REHVA invited Members of the European Parliament to contribute to the Brussels Summit as part of its strategy to connect scientific expertise with political decision-making. By convening legislators alongside engineers, researchers, industry stakeholders and civil society, REHVA promotes evidence-based dialogue on how building policies can simultaneously deliver climate goals, indoor environmental quality and social well-being.

Jutta Paulus warns against deregulation and calls for a socially fair EPBD implementation

At the 2025 Brussels Summit, MEP Jutta Paulus stressed that the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive must be understood as climate, health and social legislation, rather than a purely technical exercise. She highlighted the persistent challenges of poor indoor environmental conditions and energy poverty, arguing that vulnerable households are disproportionately exposed to inadequate housing and high energy bills.

Paulus issued a clear political warning to the European Commission, urging it not to weaken or deregulate the EPBD under the pretext of simplification, including through any future Omnibus packages. According to her intervention, simplification should never become a vehicle for dismantling safeguards that ensure healthier indoor environments, equitable access to renovation benefits and meaningful emissions reductions.

She called for implementation mechanisms that secure adequate financial support, affordable renovation pathways and high-quality outcomes, stressing that regulatory ambition must be preserved to avoid deepening social inequalities. Paulus underscored that engineering standards, financial mechanisms and political commitment must evolve together to enable a fair and effective transition.

REHVA’s multi-party engagement: impartial, evidence-driven cooperation with policymakers

REHVA’s decision to invite political actors from different parliamentary groups reflects its long-standing commitment to impartial and technology-neutral engagement. Its work seeks to support legislators in reconciling climate ambition, indoor environmental quality, affordability and financing, while ensuring that regulation remains grounded in technical feasibility, market realities and public health objectives.

The 2025 edition of the Summit, hosted within EU institutional settings, illustrated REHVA’s role as a facilitator between the technical community and political institutions during a critical implementation phase for the EPBD. By creating a platform for constructive exchanges, REHVA contributes to policy coherence and long-term regulatory stability.

From Summit exchanges to continued cooperation with EU legislators

The 2024 Brussels Summit featured a contribution from MEP Seán Kelly, who highlighted the EPBD’s potential to improve energy efficiency, affordability and energy security while fostering the uptake of low-carbon technologies. His intervention was followed by tangible political engagement, including endorsement of the REHVA Manifesto and subsequent exchanges on sustainable and inclusive building policies.

This example illustrates how REHVA’s Summits are not isolated events but catalysts for ongoing cooperation with policymakers across party lines, enabling technical expertise to inform legislative processes over time. By nurturing these relationships, REHVA reinforces its capacity to support policy outcomes that integrate climate neutrality, public health and affordability.