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Stephen Seidel
Senior Director, Technical Partnerships, Habitat for Humanity International
Rick Hathaway
Vice President, Europe and the Middle East, Habitat for Humanity International
Dr. Carel Cronenberg
Senior Technical Advisor Climate Change, Council of Europe Development Bank
This session will shed light on the critical issue of energy poverty and explore the role of EU policy makers in addressing it through the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Fit for 55 Package.
During this session, we will examine the challenges faced by communities in accessing and fostering energy-efficient housing. We will discuss the potential of energy-efficiency renovations to alleviate energy poverty and improve living conditions, reduce carbon emissions, and lower energy costs for households.
Panel discussion
Moderator: Louise Sunderland, Managing Principal, Regulatory Assistance Project
Speakers:
• Ciarán Cuffe, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
• Bogdan Atanasiu, Senior Policy Officer on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy
• Adrian Joyce, Campaign Director, Renovate Europe
• Besim Nebiu, Director for Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States, Habitat for Humanity International
This session will explore innovative strategies that leverage the potential of adaptation of underused spaces to increase affordable housing, while emphasizing the crucial aspect of environmental sustainability.
Drawing on the expertise of policymakers and practitioners, this session will showcase successful initiatives in the transformation of empty spaces into affordable housing units, for e.g. in Poland and in Great Britain.
We will also discuss environmental aspects of these initiatives, and how the adaptive reuse of vacant properties and the integration of sustainable building practices can contribute to a greener and more inclusive housing sector.
Additionally, we will explore how these projects foster social cohesion, community development, and economic growth.
Introduction: Presentation of research findings on Empty Spaces (Poland, Great Britain, and others) – Henrietta Blackmore, National Director, Habitat for Humanity Great Britain
Panel discussion
Moderator: Ruth Owen, Deputy Director, FEANTSA
Speakers:
• Alice Haugh, Programme Manager (Built Environment), Laudes Foundation
• Emily Bankert, Research for Carbon and Energy in the Built Environment, Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE)
• Dara Turnbull, Research Coordinator, Housing Europe
In this session, we will delve into the transformative potential of the EU Social Climate Fund in the context of housing. We will explore how this innovative funding mechanism can be leveraged to help alleviate energy poverty and drive social justice.
Panel discussion
Moderator: Zsuzsanna Koritár, Policy Expert, Habitat for Humanity Hungary
Speakers:
• Milena Damianova, Legal Officer, ETS: Policy Coordination, International Carbon Markets, European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action
• Jakub Sokolowski, Economist, Institute for Structural Research (IBS)
• Karolina Kolarova, Policy & EU Partnerships Analyst, European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA)
Grzegorz Gajda,
Senior Urban Specialist, European Investment Bank
Stephen Seidel,
Senior Director, Technical Partnerships, Habitat for Humanity International
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