Europe's Renovation Wave Poses Risk to Construction Workers

As Europe aims to reach climate neutrality by 2050, it is grappling with the risk of exposing construction workers to asbestos. Although admirable, Europe’s goal to renovate 220 million buildings in order to “slash energy emissions, reduce energy poverty and create additional green jobs”, has driven The European Commission to work on a proposal to boost protections for construction workers while labor unions and the construction industry continue to negotiate the level of stringency and compliance.

According to one Danish member of the European Parliament, “If we do not take sufficient action, people will die. A lot of workers will lose their life in the green transition.” This is, of course, unacceptable: We need to have an ambitious green transition and we need to make sure that the workers are properly protected.”

For more information, please read this article in Politico.