Jean Lambert, the Green MEP for London, has been announced as one of the new ambassadors for the European funded carbon reduction building project Build with CaRe.

The aim of the three-year project [1], which was launched in 2008, is to facilitate, stimulate and strengthen the market in order to go from a few ‘good examples’ to energy efficient design as mainstream. The core message of Build with CaRe is that energy efficiency is no longer an ‘if-question’ but a ‘how-question’.

Speaking about her voluntary post [2], Jean, who will serve as an overall figure head in Europe acting as a spokesperson for the project and promoting the aims of the partnership, said: “It is an honour to be asked to serve as Ambassador on such a progressive, innovative and important project as Build with CaRe.”

“With the building sector accounting for almost 40 per cent of the European Union’s emissions [3], Build with CaRe’s mission to make energy efficiency in building design the norm is not only hugely commendable but a necessity if we are to reach our EU goals for cutting carbon emissions.

“The project’s commitment to implementing the European Performance of Buildings Directive so that the public sector will be owning and renting buildings with ‘near zero’ energy standards by the end of 2018, has secured far-reaching benefits for climate change, energy and the economy that future generations will be able to enjoy.

“Furthermore, their pioneering work educating the industry about the paramount need to set energy targets on existing building stock is key if we are to stand any chance of hitting European and global climate targets by 2050.

“Clearly, the market will not achieve these objectives without substantial policy intervention, so Build with CaRe must engage in dialogue with policy makers at both European and national level and inform legislation. Hence, in my capacity as a Green MEP and the ongoing  work I am engaged in on energy efficiency in the built environment, complements the goals of Build with CaRe.  I look forward to helping raise the profile of this important project in the European Parliament and beyond.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

[1] Build with CaRe is a partnership made up of 18 public and private organisations across five countries (Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK). For more information visit: http://www.buildwithcare.eu/

[2] The post will run until August 2011 when the project comes to an end.

[3] Carbon Efficient Building Solutions study by Miimu Airaksinen and Pellervo Matilainen for the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/2/3/844/