To live up to their climate pledge under the Paris agreement, EU lawmakers must ensure all 250 million existing as well as all new buildings in the EU become nearly zero greenhouse gas emitters. In a new report, experts nominated by EASAC’s member science academies call for far-reaching policy action. “Policymakers have long focused on creating energy-efficient buildings that reduce the need for heating and air conditioning or generate renewable energy on site. But the energy used for operating buildings is only part of the story. We must urgently broaden the scope and look at emissions embodied in construction materials and methods – both for new buildings and building renovation.”, says William Gillett, EASAC’s Energy Programme Director.

Prof. Dr. Gunnar Grün, Deputy Director of Fraunhofer IBP, contributed to the paper as an EASAC member. In particular, he was able to provide IBP expertise on the important topics and success factors of "plus-energy building" and "renovation of buildings".

• Paper: Decarbonisation of buildings 
• Further Information on the report

Background information: European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC)
EASAC unites the national science academies of the EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland and United Kingdom. Through EASAC, the academies work together to provide independent, expert, evidence-based advice about the scientific aspects of European policies to those who make or influence policy within the European institutions.

www.easac.eu