About: sustainable construction
Excavated soils: The biggest source of waste you’ve never heard of
Soils extracted from construction sites are by far the biggest source of waste produced in Europe every year – five times the amount of household waste – yet governments are turning a blind eye to the issue.
EU unveils circular economy plan 2.0, drawing mixed reactions
The European Commission unveiled its new circular economy action plan on Wednesday (11 March), confirming the EU’s intention of halving municipal waste by 2030, and suggesting to offer consumers a new “right to repair” for computers and smartphones.
Decarbonising the construction industry: Can Europe lead in low carbon buildings and infrastructure?
Buildings & construction are a major driver of energy demand and global CO2 emissions. According to the European Commission, they jointly account for nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions and also 40% of final energy consumption.
European cities target net-zero carbon buildings by 2050
A coalition of eight European cities – including Madrid, Wroclaw, and Leeds – have pledged to completely decarbonise their existing building stocks by 2050. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
World’s first zero-emission cement plant takes shape in Norway
Norway is getting closer to building the world’s first carbon-free cement plant, a move that could reverberate across the globe as 197 countries meet for the UN's annual climate conference in Katowice, Poland.
Swiss researchers chart path to zero-emission cement
The construction sector can cut polluting emissions up to 80% by applying efficiency measures along the whole value chain, according to new research. If combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, emissions could even be brought down to zero by 2050, they argue.
Why construction machinery must be included in the Clean Vehicles Directive
Construction site machinery is responsible for a significant amount of air, noise, and climate pollution yet remains remarkably unregulated. The ongoing recast of the EU Clean Vehicles Directive offers a golden opportunity to address this, writes Mark Preston.
Germany: a European laggard on Smart Cities
In Germany, cities applying for funding of Smart Cities projects face steep hurdles and private companies, not citizens, seem to be the main winners. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Split cement lobby forces MEPs to choose ahead of climate emissions vote
MEPs must pick between progressive and regressive wings of the cement sector in Wednesday’s vote on the Emissions Trading Scheme, writes James Nix.
Promoting gender equality in the construction sector
Traditionally a sector dominated by men, modern construction has something to offer for people of any age and gender. Diversifying the sector would help cut unemployment and boost the European economy, argues Patrick Liébus.
New Circular Economy package still a work in progress for construction industry
SPECIAL REPORT /The European Commission’s new Circular Economy package of waste and recycling laws, to be launched tomorrow (2 December), will be pored over by a construction industry keen to prove its sustainability credentials.
Building towards a circular economy in construction
The European Commission's Circular Economy Package, ditched last year and due to be relaunched this week, has already been delayed too long, writes Julie Girling. The delay will only be worth it if the new proposal is strong enough on building waste.
INFOGRAPHIC: What’s the best way to destroy your house?
SPECIAL REPORT / The European Commission's planned Circular Economy Package of waste and recycling laws will highlight the role of construction and demolition. But what is the best way to demolish a home and how can waste be turned into a resource that can be re-used?
Vella: Construction essential for circular economy
SPECIAL REPORT / Construction will be an essential part of the transition to a circular economy, and can also drive growth, the European Union's Environment Commissioner has said.
Construction industry’s recovery can drive economic growth
SPECIAL REPORT/ Europe’s construction industry was badly hit by the financial crisis, suffering from the “double dip” recession hot on the heels of the 2008 meltdown.
Policy convergence hands opportunity to construction industry
SPECIAL REPORT / Europe’s construction industry can provide part of the answer to many of the European Union’ economic and environmental concerns. VideoPromoted content
TEPPFA Forum 2015 – Environmental Sustainability for products and buildings
Stakeholders and policymakers came together to discuss a relevant aspect of the industry: Environmental Sustainability. The technical debate originated from simple questions: “can sustainable construction products build sustainable buildings?”, “is benchmarking thinkable for construction products?” VideoPromoted content
Teppfa Forum 2014 – Environmental Sustainability of Construction Products
Representatives of different Commission services (DG Environment and DG Industry), LCA practitioners, Industry representatives and academia debated about environmental sustainability of construction products in the Teppfa Forum 2014 - Environmental Sustainability of Construction Products Workshop.
EU to align environmental gauges for construction products
SPECIAL REPORT / The European Commission intends to align existing methods and standards to assess environmental performances of construction products, with the objective of favouring “green” comparisons, and higher levels of recycling and reuse.