Along with a coalition of civil society organizations, NGOs, trade unions, local governments, and business representatives, Bellona Europa calls for the appointment of a Commissioner for Housing and the Built Environment, that tackles both social and climate issues.

The statement that President Ursula von der Leyen seeks to appoint a “Commissioner with direct responsibility for housing” is vitally important and immensely welcomed.

While the establishment of a Commissioner with the capacity for real positive change is appreciated, a narrowly defined portfolio that overlooks the broader climate, economic, and social impacts of housing will fall short of its aspirations. Only a portfolio responsible for housing and the built environment can
champion the social justice and climate sustainability that Europeans need for real security.

Read the full manifesto below to learn what the Commission must do to achieve whole-life carbon reductions in the built environment in a just manner, throughout the 2024-2029 political cycle.