Resource Efficiency in the Building Sector

Abstract

This report documents the evidence base developed to support the preparation of the European Commission’s planned Sustainable Buildings Communication. The Communication will provide strategic direction for developing a more sustainable buildings sector. This report uses a life cycle approach to the analysis of the current and future sustainability of the building sector. It provides a concrete basis for the problem formulation and objectives of the Communication, explores the scope of relevant existing policy and initiatives in the area of buildings and construction, identifies potential areas ripe for policy intervention, and describes the processes and outcomes of the public consultation on the selected policy options. The policy solutions and environmental and resource analysis in this report and the Sustainable Buildings Communication address the lifecycle environmental impacts of buildings, to complement existing initiatives related to energy consumption during the use phase of the building. The assessment of the environmental performance of buildings was considered as a practical, achievable and viable avenue to pursue that would both facilitate the improvement of building sustainability and address existing market barriers to enhance business opportunity within the sustainable buildings industry. This report was prepared for the European Commission by experts of Copenhagen Resource Institute, Ecorys and Triple E Consulting.