Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Energy-related emissions account for almost 80 % of the EU's total greenhouse
gas emissions (COM (
2010
) 639).
To address smart, sustainable and inclusive growth until 2020 and beyond the
European Union has been on the lead of seven paramount flagship initiatives. One
of such ''A resource-efficient Europe—Flagship initiative under the Europe 2020
Strategy'' highlights the importance of increasing resource efficiency as key to
bring major economic opportunities, improve productivity, drive down costs and
boost competitiveness.
To tackle climate change, EU has agreed that by 2020 greenhouse gas, emis-
sions have to be reduce by 20 % compared with the 1990 emissions level as well
as to increase by 20 % the energy consumption from renewable resources (COM
(
2008
) 30).
Between 2010 and 2020, energy investments in the order of € 1 trillion will be
needed, both to diversify existing resources and replace equipment and to cater for
challenging and changing energy requirements (COM (
2010
) 639).
According to the Energy Road Map 2050 (COM (
2011a
) 885/2), higher energy
efficiency in new and existing buildings is key for the transformation of the EU's
energy system.
Of the several areas related to the built environment energy efficiency and
renewable energies are the only ones that will be funded under the HORIZON
2020 EU Framework Program (COM (
2011b
) 808 final).
Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce emissions, improve
competitiveness, as well as create employment (COM (
2010
) 639).
According to Lund and Hvelplund (
2012
), the implementation of a district
heating and individual heat pump scenario in Denmark over a period of 10 years
will create 7-8000 jobs.
A recent report shows that the global market for energy-efficient building will
go
from
68 billion
dollars
in
2011
surpassing
100 billion
dollars
by
2017
(Pike Research
2011
.
Unfortunately, as the same EU Communication recognizes that ''The quality of
National Energy Efficiency Action Plans, developed by Member States since 2008,
is disappointing, leaving vast potential untapped''. This means that technologies
and methods to improve energy efficiency (Clements-Croome
2011
) are therefore
required.
Another important aspect related to energy efficiency concerns indoor air
quality. Many buildings currently suffer from problems related to excessive
moisture with mould formation, or present low humidity levels, giving rise to
respiratory diseases. Moreover, since 1930, more than 100,000 new chemical
compounds have been developed, and insufficient information exists for health
assessments of 95 % of chemicals that are used to a significant extent in con-
struction products (Pacheco Torgal et al.
2012
).
Increasing ventilation rate reduces the concentration of indoor air pollutants
(except for of buildings in urban areas with a high level of air pollutants); however,
this also increases energy consumption.
