By Martin Banks

Europe will hit its climate goals only if its smallest construction firms can fully contribute.

That is the get tough message from policymakers, social partners and market actors.

It came as the European Builders Confederation (EBC) capped its 35th anniversary celebrations at the European Economic and Social Committee with a high-level conference where a study, “EU micro construction companies: Rising to the 2040 climate objectives,” was unveiled.

The conference heard that micro companies make up 94% of construction firms in the EU, employ 46% of the sector’s workforce, yet capture only 31% of added value—“showing their potential remains untapped.”

Nearly 75% of the EU building stock is energy-inefficient, while the energy renovation rate remains at just 1%/year, it was said.

To meet 2050 objectives, it needs to reach 3–4%/year, equivalent to around 23,000 homes per day.

The gathering was told that deep renovations remain scarce; current volumes are insufficient, underscoring the need to scale both staged and one-step deep retrofits.

According to the study, micro construction companies rely on key strengths as specialised expertise; trust-based client relations; agility and flexibility; and local anchoring; and local anchoring.

French EPP MEP le Callennec said, “The central role of micro construction businesses in European energy renovation is undeniable. 

“Extending this observation to the challenges of sustainable and accessible housing, which are currently prioritised in Brussels, European tools could provide real support to municipalities and small local business.

“We must work together on this.”

Spanish Sociality MEP Ros Sempere added: “Tackling the housing crisis in the EU must be a priority in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, including the challenge of energy renovation.

“The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is a powerful tool that requires financial efforts from public and private actors to enable micro construction companies and their workers to meet the ambitious targets.”

EBC President Jean-Christophe Repon concluded: “Today we set a simple test for EU policy: if a two-to-nine-person company can access the market, finance and training it needs, Europe will increase and improve renovation at scale — with quality jobs in every community”.

The event included representatives from the European Commission’s DG Employment and DG Energy, employers’ organisations, trade unions, property owners and architects, plus a large number of EBC’s national member federations.