Half of the world’s population lives in cities, and this figure is growing. Delivering water and sewage services in urban areas continues to be a significant challenge, especially in the face of climate change. Digital tools developed by the EU-funded DWC project are already being used to maintain Europe’s commitment to high-quality water infrastructure.
The EU-funded D^2EPC project is revolutionising building energy performance assessment and certification with dynamic Energy Performance Certificates that adapt to real data, empowering homeowners, building professionals and policymakers for a more sustainable future.
Solar panels installed over traditional roofs can suffer from weather-related problems and compromise the roof construction. The EU-funded TilePlus project designed new roof tiles with embedded tough photovoltaic cells. This would allow millions of homes across Europe to produce their own energy.
Composite materials are widely used across multiple industries, yet are difficult to recycle. The EU-funded FiberEUse project developed new solutions to reuse composites and recover their residual properties. The developments could make these structural materials more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Interventions like green roofs and waterway restoration can tackle key environmental issues. The EU-funded ReNature project developed a toolkit that helps researchers, planners and other stakeholders identify the best nature-based solutions for them. The work will deliver on the EU’s climate goals and allow citizens across the EU to enjoy greener cities.
Heavy industry is often associated with giant chimneys releasing large quantities of dense, polluting smoke. The EU-funded CLEANKER project has developed new CO2 capture technology for cement plants, challenging this age-old industrial perception. Their technology will boost the EU’s plans for a greener economy that will ultimately benefit all citizens, wherever they live.
There are many factors that can influence a building's energy performance that a simulation cannot take into account. This is why one EU-funded project has gathered experience-based input from other building and energy stakeholders on what worked - and what didn't. The result is enbuibench, a platform where users can compare a building's energy use against other buildings with similar characteristics.
Renovating energy-inefficient buildings is crucial if Europe is to reduce its carbon footprint. That is why an EU-funded project is making renovations faster and easier, helping homes to save energy - for the benefit of the general public and the planet.
The building industry produces a significant volume of waste which, in turn, creates a sizeable environmental impact. EU-funded research has developed know-how and tools to help the construction sector embrace the circular economy and increase the reuse, reconfiguration and recycling of products, materials, components and buildings.
Around 40% of EU energy consumption and 36% of its CO2 emissions come from buildings. EU-funded researchers have developed easy-to-install eco-panels to place on the outside of the buildings to dramatically cut both.
