Energy Efficiency
With the European Green Deal, the EU is pushing towards becoming the world’s first fully decarbonised continent by 2050. At a time of rising energy prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and a warming climate, however, reducing energy demand while staying competitive has never been more important. Addressing these challenges is an opportunity to rethink how we use the energy available and ensure we make the most out of it.
As buildings account for 40% of Europe’s total energy use and 34% of greenhouse gas emissions (EEA), with heating and cooling making up 70% of their energy demand (Eurostat), they constitute a major target for improvement. Making them more efficient and reducing their energy demand is an essential step to meet the EU climate targets.
A more energy-efficient building stock is the most logical solution to the challenges Europe faces today. By cutting energy waste, lowering bills, reducing emissions, and decreasing reliance on imports, energy efficiency benefits everyone - from consumers, to businesses and the environment.
Water Efficiency
Water covers 70% of our planet, yet less than 1% is available for human use. With the global population set to be nearing 10 billion by 2050 (United Nations) and climate change intensifying, the pressure on freshwater resources is reaching a critical point. The World Economic Forum warns that by 2030, global demand for freshwater will exceed supply by 40%, putting billions at risk. Today, already four billion people face water scarcity, and global demand is expected to rise by 55% by 2050 (OECD).
Europe is not exempt: One-third of its territory faces seasonal water stress, with renewable water resources per capita having dropped by 24% in the past 50 years (EEA).
As freshwater becomes scarcer and demand is increasingly concentrated in urban areas, managing the water demand of buildings plays a crucial role. In Europe, the sector accounts for 28% of the freshwater abstracted and 13% of the net water consumption, with 70% of produced drinking water flowing directly into them (EEA). In this context, using water efficiently and preventing waste isn’t an option, it is our responsibility. Conserving and reusing water as much as possible is essential, not only to protect the environment but also to safeguard the health, well-being, and resilience of our society.