Human beings spend on average 90% of their lives indoors. Buildings are also a huge drain on energy resources and create a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. This Special Report looks deeper into the places we live and work.
At the annual Healthy Buildings Day on 10 October in Paris, organised by Danish window manufacturer Velux, industry experts and lawmakers discussed the challenges posed by our homes, schools and offices.
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Healthy homes: ‘The biggest health and business opportunity of a lifetime’
Indoor environment quality and healthy homes play an ever more substantial role in human wellbeing, according to new research unveiled at a high-level event last week (10 October).
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French MP: ‘We try to bring method to the madness of building renovation’
The Yellow Vest movement has actually boosted France's ambition to be a building renovation champion as it positioned the economy front and centre in the debate, the government's 'co-pilot' for the project told EURACTIV.
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1 in 3 children live in unhealthy homes, warns ‘alarming’ report
A third of European children live in damp, cold, dark or noisy homes, according to new findings released last week. Portugal is the worst offender in the EU, with one in two kids exposed to unhealthy conditions.
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Velux CEO: ‘If you want the most energy efficient home, live in a cave’
Companies and lawmakers must take more responsibility in helping to solve issues related to buildings, including reducing carbon emissions and improving health standards, according to Velux CEO David Briggs.
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Our buildings are making our children sick
The youngest generation is losing healthy life years due to the poor state of the homes and schools that they spend much of their youth in. Its imperative that legislators across Europe implement the EU’s new building directive before the deadline in March 2020.
