Presentation of the topic

Definition

So-called green construction is about minimising the impact of the built environment on the natural environment, striving for high energy efficiency, using sustainable materials and preserving the biodiversity of the area.

The importance and relevance of the topic

The United Nations predicts that sixty-eight percent of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050, making innovative architectural solutions based on sustainability and capable of mitigating the negative effects of climate change more important than ever.

Sustainability is carbon neutrality, one of the greatest challenges of our lives today, which will determine the long-term future of our planet and the quality of life for generations to come. We need to move fast if we are to ensure the liveability, productivity and long-term sustainability of our cities. The task is urgent. We need to rethink how we build and how we live. If our economies are to continue to grow, we must accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

Current issues and challenges for this topic

Although green construction is increasingly recognised and accepted, and its justification is no longer questionable, it still faces many challenges. Of these challenges, we have gathered perhaps the most important, but we could certainly list others:

A very large proportion of people are still unaware of green buildings and their lasting benefits. Those who know little about green building see it as an expensive and financially unaffordable option.
Regardless of the increasingly ambitious targets set for green construction around the world, in many cases there is unfortunately a lack of government rules and regulations to encourage it.
Builders and developers have to go through a very tedious process when it comes to approvals, adding to that burden is the list of approvals for green building compliances.
The equipment and materials used to build green buildings are often expensive compared to conventional buildings. Many developers and builders are concerned about the high upfront costs of implementing green features in their buildings.
In many cases, the lack of qualified experts and skilled labour can be a barrier to green building.

EU Policy Framework relating to the topic

The European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring: