Initiative for CO2 reduction in the building sector

Scientists from the fields of architecture and engineering have recently published a manifesto for a sustainable, cost-effective and socially acceptable climate policy in the building sector. They criticise the one-sided focus on ever-higher energy efficiency standards and call for a change in policy direction.

The manifesto is the founding document of the “Initiative Praxispfad CO2-Reduktion im Gebäubesektor“. The aim of the initiative is to organise a broad public discourse. Among the initiators are Professor Elisabeth Endres of the Institute for Building Climatology and Energy in Architecture at TU Braunschweig and Professor Manfred Norbert Fisch, head of Steinbeis Innovation Centre energieplus.

The “Initiative Praxispfad CO2-Reduktion im Gebäubesektor” defines five key points for climate policy action. Among other things, the heat supply should be switched to emission-free energy sources. In the manifesto, the scientists summarise the results of years of research. They emphasise that a stronger focus on CO2 reduction – and not just on energy saving – can make the goal of climate neutrality achievable while maintaining affordable housing.