It is a known fact that buildings are the biggest single user of energy in Europe, bigger than industry or traffic. The amount of energy used for the heating and air conditioning of buildings amounts to more than 40% of all energy used in Europe. This in turn implies that the proportional amount of emissions is caused by heating and air conditioning the buildings, and the big question for the construction industry is how to reduce these emissions.

Better insulation is enough to achive Kyoto pact targets

A study commissioned by the European insulation manufacturers association Eurima (Contribution of mineral wool and other thermal insulation materials to energy saving and climate protection in Europe, report by ECOFYS) reveals that by applying a good level of thermal insulation to the buildings in Europe, the target of the Kyoto pact could be achieved. If you insulate houses properly, nothing else needs to be done!

Already there are signs that certain Member States plan to issue more stringent requirements for thermal insulation in order to cut emissions.

Schemes for the evaluation of the environmental friendliness of a product are also under way, and standards for environmental declaration and eco-labelling being developed.