EU eyes 15 million eco-renovations by 2020

Fifteen million European buildings should have eco-friendly renovations over the next decade, with builders and architects re-educated to do the job, a draft EU report says.

The European Union should also make mandatory its voluntary goal of cutting energy use, creating about 2 million new jobs, says a draft of the EU's "energy efficiency action plan" obtained by Reuters.

The proposal is expected to spark a fierce political battle because if adopted it would direct EU funds into the hand of developers while cutting demand for energy supplies by as much as 11 percent over the next decade.

"Practically all studies show a lack of awareness by citizens and companies on the benefits and practicalities of investing in energy efficiency," said the report by the European Union's executive, the European Commission.

"The Commission will launch a European Building Initiative, supported by the European Investment Bank … that will aim at stimulating the major renovation of 15 million buildings by 2020," said the report.

"A mandatory low energy building course for the building workforce, particularly for architects, should therefore be introduced."