The construction sector is EU’s largest industrial employer, a major source of revenue and a clear contributor to the quality of life for all citizens.

 

Through its consultation on the revision of the EU Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution and related policies, the European Commission is looking to identify possible options to further reduce the negative impacts of air pollution. Within the scope of our activities,
CEPMC would like to draw the EC attention to the issues detailed below.

 

BUILDINGS & INFRASTRUCTURE

 

In the EU, buildings account for 40 % of the total energy use and are the biggest contributor to CO2 emissions. This amounts to approximately 5 Gigatonnes (Gt) when there is an estimated potential of reduction1 of 80%. It will require the delivery of more energy efficient buildings and the deep renovation or replacement of existing stock to reach the EU’s 2050 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction target.

 

Indeed, retrofitted and newly built buildings bring immediate energy savings but also a number of co-benefits, such as improved health due to lower air pollution levels and improved indoor climate. However, as construction systems ensure air tightness, performing ventilation is essential to ensure a good indoor air quality.

 

Last but not least, as cities suffer most from congestion, an integrated approach to urban planning, including transport infrastructure, can improve traffic flows and may help improve ambient air quality.

 

MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

 

Over the last few decades the construction product industry has implemented a number of emission reducing measures to meet increasing requirements, e.g. installing modern firing systems and exhaust treatments, replacing combustibles and also measures targeted at reducing the energy consumption in production.

 

Considering the hard times that this already highly regulated sector is facing, the economic impact of any decision that may be considered should be taken into account to ensure a level playing field and the competitiveness of the EU construction product industry on the global market. Coordination between the different initiatives is of utmost importance.

 

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

 

Continued research and development is vital to provide a sound basis for recovery from the effects of economic downturn and to address the global problems of climate change and population growth. In terms of innovative solution, one example is the development of photo-catalytic construction products. Studies indicate that these effectively destroy airborne pollutants. Researchers have calculated that, in a large city, covering 15% of visible urban surfaces with photo-catalytic products would reduce ambient air pollution by approximately 50%.

 

CONCLUSION

 

We would like to underline the need to tackle air quality in a holistic way that would include a cost-efficiency analysis of any option that may be considered. As demonstrated here above, the construction products industry has contributed over the past and may provide further efficient solutions to improve both indoor and outdoor air quality whilst providing decent, efficient, affordable housing. Even with existing solutions, considerable improvements are possible since energy consumption reduction automatically leads to reduced emissions and, therefore, a decrease in air pollution. In the review process of EU air policy, the improved coordination of existing environmental and energy efficiency policies is essential.

 

1 "Study on the Energy Savings Potential in EU Member States, Candidate Countries ans EEA Countries. Final Report” for the European Commission Directorate General Energy and Transport, March 2009.