The system works as follows: EU importers will buy carbon certificates corresponding to the carbon price that would have been paid, had the goods been produced under the EU’s carbon pricing rules. Conversely, once a non-EU producer can show that they have already paid a price for the carbon used in the production of the imported goods in a third country, the corresponding cost can be fully deducted for the EU importer. The CBAM will help reduce the risk of carbon leakage by encouraging producers in non-EU countries to green their production processes.
Click here for more infoThe strategy strives for a toxic-free environment, where chemicals are produced and used in a way that maximises their contribution to society including
achieving the green and digital transition, while avoiding harm to the planet and to current and future generations. It envisages the EU industry as a globally competitive player in the production and use of safe and sustainable chemicals. The strategy proposes a clear roadmap and timeline for the transformation of industry with the aim of attracting investment into safe and sustainable products and production methods.
EC has presented a lot of initiatives dealing with circular economy. Initially the focus was on resource extraction and waste, but the topic was enhanced progressively to cover dangerous substances, resource efficiency and lastly a complete action plan dealing with the goals of the Green Deal.
Click here for more infoThe European Climate Law writes into law the goal set out in the European Green Deal for Europe’s economy and society to become climate-neutral by 2050. The law also sets the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
Click here for more infoThe CPR establishes the rules for the marketing of construction products, it is an excellent regulatory framework for the delivery of product performance and guarantees a level playing field in the European market.
Click here for more infoA digital building logbook is a common repository for relevant building data. It facilitates transparency, trust, informed decision making and information sharing within the construction sector, among building owners and occupants, financial institutions and public authorities.
Click here for more infoThe Drinking Water Directive concerns the quality of water intended for human consumption. Its objective is to protect human health from adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean. This directive addresses Construction products in contact with drinking water in connection with the Construction Products Regulation.
Click here for more infoEcodesign and energy labelling are the tools used for improving the energy efficienty and sustainability of products but its implementation depends on the product family. The overarching approach is described in the Sustainable Product Initiative.
Click here for more infoThe EC presented a new proposal raising the level of ambition of the EU energy efficiency target and making it binding. The revised directive also requires EU countries to collectively ensure an additional reduction of energy consumption of 9% by 2030 compared to the 2020 reference scenario projections. This 9% additional effort corresponds to the 39% and 36% energy efficiency targets for primary and final energy consumption outlined in the Climate Target Plan, and is simply measured against updated baseline projections made in 2020. This means that the overall EU energy consumption should be no more than 1023 million tonnes of oil equivalent Mtoe of primary energy and 787 Mtoe of final energy by 2030.
Click here for more infoThis policy will ensure that taxation is aligned with the climate objectives. One of the key actions will be phasing out exemptions for home heating, so that fossil fuels can no longer be taxed below minimum rates. Member States will be able to support vulnerable households and protect against energy poverty.
Click here for more infoThis legislative framework is intended to achieve a highly energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050 in line with the Green Deal objectives. It regulated the delivery of information to consumers and buildings in relation to building performance to support their choices and investments. As any other directive it needs to be implemented at national level.
Click here for more infoFor the moment buildings are not one of the sectors included in the EU ETS, they are subject to the binding annual greenhouse gas emission targets according to the Effort Sharing Regulation.
Click here for more infoThis communication of the European Commission describes the actions to achieve a transformation of the European society and economy to take place until 2030 and 2050. It is focused on climate change mitigation, but it also covers investment, growth, other harmful effects and related strategies such as adaptation to climate change, research, innovation and training.
Click here for more infoThis package consists of a set of inter-connected proposals, which all drive towards the same goal of ensuring a fair, competitive and green transition by 2030 and beyond. Where possible existing legislation is made more ambitious and where needed new proposals are put on the table. Overall, the package strengthens eight existing pieces of legislation and presents five new initiatives, across a range policy areas and economic sectors: climate, energy and fuels, transport, buildings, land use and forestry.
Click here for more infoGPP is a voluntary instrument implemented by Europe’s public authorities to choose environmentally friendly goods, services and works. To be effective, GPP requires the inclusion of clear and verifiable environmental criteria for products and services in the public procurement process. Implementation will only be effective if criteria are based on existing policy instruments such as the CPR and any other regulatory instrument applicable to construction products.
Click here for more infoThis is the main EU instrument regulating pollutant emissions from industrial installations. It is expected to reduce harmful industrial emissions across the EU, in particular through an integrated approach for permits, better application of Best Available Techniques (BAT) and mandatory requirements on environmental inspections and emission values for some activities (including certain flexibility).
Click here for more infoThe Regulation sets a binding commitment for each Member State to ensure that accounted emissions from land use are entirely compensated by an equivalent accounted removal of CO2 from the atmosphere through action in the sector. This is known as the “no debit” rule.
Click here for more infoLevel(s) is a methodological European framework for the assessment and reporting of the sustainable performance of buildings across their whole lifecycle.
Click here for more infoThe European Commission published non-binding guides: “Construction and Demolition Waste Management Protocol” & “Guidelines for the waste audits before demolition and renovation works of buildings” as a recommendation to the industry on how to address demolition and Construction Demolition Waste (CDW)
Click here for more infoThe New European Bauhaus is a think-do tank, a design lab, accelerator and network to recuperate and revisit sustainable practices to be used to design future ways of leaving. The initiative is expected to complement the technical approach related to sustainability with news and existing design trends.
Click here for more infoThe Waste Framework Directive establishes the legislative framework for the handling of waste in the European Union. It includes the definition of key concepts such as waste, recovery and disposal and puts in place the essential requirements for the management of waste. Specific actions related to packaging are included.
Click here for more infoThe Renewable Energy Directive is the legal framework for the development of renewable energy across all sectors of the EU economy. This directive is expected to be revised to ensure that renewable energy fully contributes to achieving a higher EU climate ambition for 2030, in line with the 2030 Climate Target Plan.
Click here for more infoThis communication from the EC gives clear indications of their willingness to move on issues like climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Green Deal.
Click here for more infoThis legislative initiative is intended to establish sustainability principles to regulate durability, reusability, upgradability, reparability, presence of hazardous chemicals, energy and resource efficiency, recycled content, remanufacturing, high-quality recycling, carbon and environmental footprints, digitalisation of product information, including digital passports and tagging.
Click here for more infoThis communication proposes an EU-wide net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target of at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. It was presented together with an accompanying Impact Assessment, an EU-wide Assessment of National Energy and Climate Plans and an amended proposal on the draft European Climate Law to incorporate the new 2030 emissions reduction target.
Click here for more infoAn Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) contains information related to the product environmental performance obtained using life cycle assessment methodology. Results are expressed for a detailed list of indicators declared for each stage of the construction product from the sourcing/supply of raw materials to the end of life.
Click here for more infoThis regulation is intended to establish a common language for sustainable finance (i.e. taxonomy) to define what is sustainable and identify areas where investment can make the biggest impact.
Click here for more infoThis communication is expected to reduce air, water and soil pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems, that respect the boundaries with which our planet can cope, thereby creating a toxic-free environment. This is translated into key 2030 targets to speed up reducing pollution at source including improving air quality to reduce the number of premature deaths caused by air pollution by 55%; improving water quality by reducing waste, plastic litter at sea (by 50%) and microplastics released into the environment (by 30%); improving soil quality by reducing nutrient losses and chemical pesticides’ use by 50%; reducing by 25% the EU ecosystems where air pollution threatens biodiversity; reducing the share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30%, and significantly reducing waste generation and by 50% residual municipal waste.
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