01 November 2021

Climate neutral buildings: an important key in solving the climate change problem

In 2019, the world’s leading scientists declared, clearly and unequivocally, that planet Earth is facing a climate emergency.  Worldwide, buildings generate nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. According to Architecture 2030, global building stock will double in area by 2060 with the addition of 230 billion square meters of new floor area, the equivalent of adding another New York City to the planet every 34 days.

Climate neutral buildings: an important key in solving the climate change problem

Yet, buildings also offer the greatest potential for achieving significant GHG emission reductions, at least in developed and developing countries. 

Energy consumption in buildings can be reduced by 30% to 80% using proven and commercially available technologies. The EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPDB) is the mechanism by which significant operational energy reductions will be achieved over the coming years.

As a result, First Q has just published a WHITE PAPER, that shows how the journey to climate neutral buildings varies from country to country. 

Looking at the building energy standards of EU members in addition to building projects of First Q members, it evaluates the implementation of the nearly Zero-Energy-Building (nZEB) standard introduced by the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD).

The Paper demonstrates the impact of improvements made by implementing different active and passive measures in the buildings planned by First Q members. It then moves towards practical recommendations to accelerate the movement through nZEB and climate neutral building.

Looking forward, successful implementation of the EPBD will play a crucial role for First Q member firms during this decisive ‘decade of action’, now widely accepted as our last chance to avoid the worst effects of irreversible climate change.  

Download the whitepaper here
(Source: First Q-network

More information?

We are happy to help you with your questions. For more information, please contact Wim Boone: 050/40 45 30 or via wim.boone@ingenium.be.