The EU must regulate embodied carbon to deliver climate-proof buildings

The EU is neglecting emissions from building materials and construction, but the negotiations on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive can fill this gap, writes a group of leading Danish professional associations and NGOs.

At every phase of its existence, a building has an impact on our climate. Thus far, EU legislation has focused on reducing greenhouses gas emissions related to energy needed to heat, cool and power a building. Yet, a lot remains to be done to cut down emissions from the building materials and constructions, also known as embodied carbon.

Of the 36% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions the building sector is responsible for, 10-20% of these emissions derive from the production of building materials, construction, renovation and demolition processes.