An energy-efficient EU brings health advantages

Political and financial investment in energy efficient will bring greater benefits than simply saving money.

The wider benefits of energy efficiency, particularly to health, should be taken into consideration by Sweden as it begins its leadership of the EU.

Part of the work programme of the presidency will involve EU energy ministers discussing the content of the EU’s upcoming second Energy Efficiency Action Plan, part of which includes a target to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020.

Also on the agenda for energy ministers is the revised EU directive on the energy performance of buildings, including amendments submitted by MEPs earlier this year.

If the EU can come up with policies to produce real energy savings, at the local level as well as internationally, this will have a lasting effect on the health of the population.

 “Domestic energy inefficiencies and related fuel poverty have a number of effects on health and are very socially patterned,” according to a WHO report on health inequalities.

Referring to a study trial of residents upgraded to more energy-efficient council housing, the WHO report notes that factors such as better insulation and ventilation can result in personal and health benefits.  
 
 “Greater use of the whole house, improved relationships within families, and a greater sense of self-esteem were all mentioned as benefits,” the report says.

“Non-asthma related chest problems and the combined asthma symptom score for adults [also] diminished significantly,” the report adds.

More about the energy work programme of the Swedish Presidency can be found at this site.
 
The WHO report on health inequalities can be downloaded from here.

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