SBE19 Graz Conference at TU Graz, AT
Report on Opening Keynotes
The Sustainable Built Environment D-A-CH Conference 2019 (SBE19 Graz) took place at TU Graz, AT, 11-14 September 2019. The conference is a part of the SBE series with the theme being transition towards a net-zero carbon built environment. The conference focused on innovative construction products, sustainable buildings, modern design methods and tools, sustainable urban neighbourhoods and future-proof urban development.
eseia Focus Group Smart Energy Efficient Buildings under Working Group 3 on Energy Transition in Urban Regions also addresses these matters. TU Graz member and eseia Expert Alexander Passer is one of the conference organizers and editors. He is involved in several international and European projects, such as Hermes – JPI Urban Europe Project.
1.5°C Climate Change: What are the Implications for the Built Environment?
By Diana ÜRGE-VORSATZ, Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy at the Central European University, Budapest; Vice-Chair of Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The building sector is the biggest greenhouse gases emitter including electricity and heat production. In order to achieve the 1.5oC climate change target the building sector has to play a critical role. With novelty architecture, advanced energy efficiency technologies and energy management, it is proved that energy plus buildings can consume many times less energy than a normal building. Plus energy refurbishment, passive houses, and zero-emission buildings are the keys to reducing the global GHG emissions so that the 1.5oC target could be met. However, the lock-in effect is a dangerous factor that could destroy our efforts. Taking the implications of lock-in effect into account is extremely important in both theory and practice.
Sustainability Assessment of Buildings in the EU – Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance
By Ursula HARTENBERGER, Global Head of Sustainability, RICS, Member of the Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance, Chair of Buildings Sector Group
EU Taxonomy is a voluntary EU Green Bond Standard and voluntary low-carbon benchmarks which was launched on 18 June 2019. The taxonomy will be an important tool to help investors and other financial actors contribute to the transition to a sustainable economy and engage in a dialogue with companies. Under the proposed taxonomy regulation, institutional investors and asset managers marketing investment products as environmentally sustainable would need to explain whether, and how, they have used the taxonomy criteria. In the building sector, the EU Taxonomy will make recommendations for technical screening of economic activities. Climate mitigation and environmental issues will be effectively taken into consideration.
Building-Related Environmental Impacts: The Hidden Aspects
By Peter HOLZER, Institute of Building Research & Innovation ZT GmbH
Biodiversity loss and land-use change are the issues that are not often adequately addressed in the building sector. By using life cycle assessment modelling, such as IMPACT World +, these aspects will be measured effectively. These hidden aspects in the built environment, therefore, could be highlighted significantly in environmental impact assessment for every project.
More Information
Contact Person
Trang Nguyen, eseia Project Manager – trang.nguyen@eseia.eu