|
TOWARDS CO2 NEUTRAL LIFE CYCLES  The real estate sector is a key sector for sustainable development. The construction, use and demolition of buildings generate substantial social and economic benefits to society, but may also have some negative impacts, in particular on the environment. Areas of key concern notably include energy use and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In Europe, energy use in buildings account for 35-40% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the construction (energy and materials) of the buildings for less than 5%. The building sector thus offers the largest single potential for energy efficiency in Europe: more than a fifth of the present energy consumption could be saved by 2020 by applying more ambitious standards to new and existing buildings. This would represent a considerable contribution to meeting the Kyoto targets and is also an important contribution towards securing the energy supply of the European Union. But energy efficiency is not enough to reach the more climate friendly 30% CO2 reductions by 2020 and 80% CO2 reductions by 2050 if we want global warming to stagnate at +2°C by 2050. There is an urgent need in the real estate development sector to achieve ‘CO2 Neutral’ life cycles for buildings. The use of a commercial building represents more than 90% of their CO2 emissions (from Cradle to Grave/or from Cradle to Cradle) while the material used and the construction phase itself represent only 10%. This is the demonstration that we should quickly focus on the energy use of the building, arming buildings right from the start with energy efficient engineering, technologies and renewable energy. We need a broader approach than only looking at isolation or efficiency. A well isolated building and an efficient building can still have a heavy carbon footprint if badly managed. Landlords, owners, users should be informed and educated on how to avoid and reduce energy consumption. Buildings should be very efficient in order to power themselves with little self generated (or externally generated if higher energy use) renewable energy. Renovations should be stimulated and Green Landlord Tax breaks should be introduced to speed up the transition from high carbon to low carbon buildings. Together with the organization of REALTY 2009* we decided to make the exhibition CO2 NEUTRAL in order to raise awareness about CO2 Neutrality. (*Tour & Taxis from 5-7 may 2009 www.realty-brussels.com)
|