As windmills and solar panels proliferate across Europe, the debate over where these green technologies should and should not be deployed becomes more heated.
Transitioning to renewable energy comes with cross-cutting benefits that far...
EU plans to expand renewables will reshape land uses in Europe, and this may trigger conflict. Decision-makers must develop strategic spatial planning to scale up renewable energy capacity in harmony with nature protection and local...
The European Green Deal (EGD) is the single most defining policy initiative of the Von der Leyen Commission. Since its publication in December 2019, it has become the European Union’s (EU) new raison d’être: protecting the planet and...
After three years of the launch of the European Green Deal which has set specific targets for the energy transition, the current geo-political situation requires reviewing many assumptions about the energy transition, energy security,...
Publication
Energy Efficiency 2022 - IEA´s annual analysis
Energy Efficiency 2022 is the IEA’s primary annual analysis on global developments in energy efficiency markets and policy. It explores recent trends in energy intensity, demand and efficiency-related investment, innovation, policy and...
The International Energy Agency has just published "Energy Efficiency 2022" which provides an analysis of the global trends and developments about energy efficiency investments, technology, innovation, demand and policies.
French architect Jean-Christophe Quinton has decorated a Parisian social housing project built on the site of a demolished police station with a curvy limestone facade.
The housing units are located at 12 Rue Jean-Bart in Paris' wealthy...
This social housing block in Paris has been renovated by architect Jean-Christophe Quinton who has worked on the facade by making it more aesthetically appealing to destigmatise social housing. The facade indeed looks like waves of...
This is the third paper of a series being developed and dealing with trends in building and ductwork airtightness in various countries.
The paper can be downloaded here.
The first paper "VIP 45.1: Trends in building and ductwork...
AIVC's Ventilation Information Paper #45.3 summarizes current knowledge on trends in building and ductwork airtightness in the Czech Republic.
Publication
What is the state of energy in Europe?
The 2022 report, published on 18 October 2022, is the third report since the adoption of the European Green Deal and the first after the adoption of the REPowerEU plan. It highlights the challenges that the energy sector has faced in the...
The current energy crisis has led to an EU´s energy policy response to tackle the issues. These policies would also tackle turbulence in energy markets, price volatility and energy insecurity across the world, which has had a huge impact...
Broadly, circular economy principles aim to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems. The application of circular economy principles to buildings includes several building design...
This study aims to assist the Commission with identifying policy options that support the uptake of “Circular economy principles for buildings’ design” in European, national and local policies. The goal is to increase the service life of...
With spiralling energy costs and unprecedented heatwaves, rapid scale up of retrofit has never been more urgent. And, as an industry, we must come together and share learning if this is to be successful.
Which is why we’re excited to be...
The Energiesprong whole house retrofit model has been applied across six UK social housing schemes to improve their energy performance. The Energiesprong approach aims to fully insulate homes using offsite manufactured wall and roof panels.
News
Overview Article - Fostering the demand for a skilled labour force in the construction industry
Every professional involved in any way in the European construction industry should be well aware of Churchill’s broad concept of the reciprocal effect of the building design and the wellbeing of its users. With carefully selected words he...
The construction industry employs 13 million people across the EU27 and is a major driver of economic development. Unfortunately, it seems to be failing at attracting younger generations. Blerta Vula Rizvanolli, BUILD UP’s Ambassador,...
Main facts:
Project type: Renovation of the thermal envelope and incorporation of photovoltaic panels
Building type: Multifamily social housing
Building location: Block A of the complex Ronda Arraona 29-31, Sant Quirze del Vallès (25 km...
This case study presents the energy rehabilitation of a facade of a social housing building located in Catalonia through the installation of an innovative, prefabricated, and modular facade system that integrates active and passive...
Labour and skills shortages in the renovation sector are one of the main obstacles that need to be overcome to successfully implement the Renovation Wave in the EU, contributing to achieving climate neutrality and social goals. The...
Renovate Europe addresses the need to further invest on skilled workforce in the renovation sector to reach the climate neutrality and social goals. The main challenges are to being able to attract workers, upskill those already in the...
The goal when building in the Efficiency House Plus standard is to ensure that the renewable energy generated on-site over the course of a year exceeds the energy required for the building´s operation and use. The energy required for...
The Louise Otto-Peters school in Hockenheim, Germany, was the first educational institution to be granted support under the “Efficiency House Plus – Educational Buildings” funding programme. The new build combines three different school...
Publication
The key risks facing the construction industry
Over the last two years construction companies have operated in a very different risk landscape, which continues to bring challenges throughout the supply chain.
Those that have weathered the storm so far continue to experience delays...
The construction industry faces many challenges and risks throughout the supply chain. One of these is the skill shortage which has been caused by Brexit, an ageing workforce and a collective image of the industry which is not attractive...
This report discusses the latest status of energy consumption trends in the EU, in the four main energy-consuming sectors: residential, tertiary, transport and industry. During the last years, there have been notable efforts by the...
The Joint Research Centre has published a report showing the latest status of energy consumption trends in the EU in four main areas: residential buildings, tertiary, transport and industry. The report specifically explores the energy...
Zagreb’s Upper Town is known for its narrow streets, tourist attractions and hidden courtyards of buildings built in the 19th century. Right next to the world’s shortest funicular (66 m), in the Upper Town, is a residential building built...
Within the REPLACE project, this best practice shows an energy efficient renovation made to an apartment of a 1850 building. In particular, the heating system has been replaced to an air-water heat pump which has allowed to reach energy...
The building is located on the northern part of Square Arnstadt. The "gateway" ecostructure brings together 5 public premises (ERPs) (Nursery, Early Childhood Centre, Parent-Child Reception Center, Ricochet Social Center and the Municipal...
The architecture of this multi-functional building strengthens the conditions for a strong inside-outside relationship, enforces human-nature ties and environmental awareness. Dry wood construction and bio-based materials have been used to...
Publication
Are we on track with decarbonisation targets?
The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (Buildings-GSR) is a flagship publication of the UNEP-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). The Buildings-GSR provides an annual snapshot of the progress...
The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (Buildings-GSR) provides an annual snapshot of the progress of the buildings and construction sector on a global scale and also reviewes the policies, financing initiatives,...
To reduce the carbon footprint in buildings the traditional approach is focused on reducing the operational energy consumptions.
Before the buildings become operational a relevant amount of CO2 is produced during the manufacturing of...
In this infographic you can learn more about how to apply circular principles in construction, some EU policy instruments for more sustainable buildings and the Level(s) platform, an assessment and reporting tool for sustainability...
Publication
ProGETonE - Final brochure
The EU-funded project ProGETonE kicked-off in 2017 and successfully ended in September 2022.
The project aimed at developing an integrated approach for the building sector, combining energy performance upgrades to nZEB with seismic...
The EU-funded project ProGETonE presents its final brochure showing the most relevant outcomes of the project.
In concomitanza con la presentazione del Piano nazionale di contenimento dei consumi di gas naturale da parte del Ministero della Transizione Ecologica, l’ENEA propone una serie di indicazioni pratiche per i cittadini chiamati all’...
L´ENEA propone un vademecum redatto apposta per i cittadini con lo scopo di fornire soluzioni e suggerimenti pratici per ridurre ed ottimizzare i consumi energetici derivati dal riscaldamento domestico. Tali comportamenti risultano...