First Q White Paper - Path to Nearly-Zero Energy & Climate Neutral-Buildings"

news — Jan 25, 2022

 In 2019 the world’s leading scientists declared, clearly and unequivocally that planet Earth is facing a climate emergency.  Worldwide, buildings generate nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emission. According to Architecture 2030, global building stock will double in area by 2060 with the addition of 230 billion square meters of new floor area, equivalent to adding another New York City to the planet every 34 days.

 Yet, buildings also offer the greatest potential for achieving significant GHG emission reductions, at least in developed and developing countries.

First Q published now a WHITE PAPER, that shows how the journey to climate neutral buildings varies from country to country.  It evaluates the implementation of the nearly Zero-Energy-Building (nZEB), introduced by Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD), in the building energy standards of EU sate members as well as building projects of the members of First Q network. Paper demonstrates a clear image of the improvements made by implementing different active and passive measures in the buildings planned by FirstQ members and leads towards practical recommendations to accelerate the movement through nZEB and climate neutral building.

 Energy consumption in buildings can be reduced by 30 to 80% using proven and commercially available technologies. The EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPDB) is the mechanism by which significant operational energy reductions will be achieved over the coming years.  Successful implementation of the EPBD will play a crucial role for First Q member firms during this decisive ‘decade of action’, now widely accepted as our last chance to avoid the worst effects of irreversible climate change.