How are sustainable buildings designed? Is the reduction of energy consumption the only parameter to consider for reducing greenhouse gas emissions or are there others? What is the role of flat glass in the diffusion of green solutions for building sector? Our most assiduous readers will perhaps be able to answer these questions appropriately. The topic of building sustainability in fact, it is not new among the contents of our Magazine.
From this perspective, it is essential toassiduous awareness-raising work carried out by Glass for Europe, the trade association of the European flat glass industry.
As indicated in the participants' vision of Glass for Europe flat glass represents a high-tech material essential for the "safety, comfort and performance" of buildings. But what are the parameters at play for the decarbonisation of the construction sector?
Built-in carbon and flat glass
Il operational carbon of buildings, i.e. that generated by heating and air conditioning systems, has for years been at the center of policies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.
Attention is now focusing instead on incorporated carbon, an indicator that evaluates the performance of a building based on "greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production, transport, installation, maintenance and disposal of building materials" (source: carbonleadershipforum.org).
Each project requires a complete and correct evaluation of the multiple specificities that distinguish it: the geographical position, the design methods, the components aimed at insulation and the materials chosen. All elements that directly impact the energy efficiency of buildings.
But in evaluating the entire life cycle of the building, flat glass plays a highly strategic role in reducing the carbon footprint.
To understand the actual contribution of flat glass to sustainable buildings, Glass for Europe has prepared a Q&A document, structured around three main questions:
- Can a building with large glass surfaces be energy efficient?
- Is it possible to produce the large quantities of glass used in skyscrapers with minimal CO2 emissions?
- Considering all the environmental impacts, can buildings made with a lot of glass be considered sustainable?
Find out the answers here: https://glassforeurope.com/sustainable-buildings/#1709571134766-99eea3ce-79f8
Source: glassforeurope.com
