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Sustainable building at the heart of the European debate

European Sustainable Energy Week panel
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Sustainable building at the heart of the European debate

From innovative solutions in rural areas, the standardisation of construction materials to the smart integration of renewable energy sources, the initiatives presented during EUSEW reflect a strong commitment to transforming the built environment into a driver of sustainability and modernisation.

Editorial Team

Image source: European Sustainable Energy Week official website – sustainable-energy-week.ec.europa.eu

During the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) held in June 2025, the building sector took centre stage with key proposals to advance towards a climate-neutral Europe. Below are three of the most prominent events addressing the challenges and opportunities in transforming the built environment.

'Building Energy Everywhere: Real Solutions for Rural Homes'

On June 12th, the event 'Building Energy Everywhere: Real Solutions for Rural Homes', organised by Liquid Gas Europe, showcased affordable and scalable solutions for the decarbonisation of rural housing. The case of the ADEM care centre was presented, having achieved an 80% reduction in emissions through the use of bioLPG, without the need for costly renovations. The session also explored the forthcoming EU Heating and Cooling Strategy, calling for clear and supportive legislation.

'Enabling a Fast-Pace Competitive Twin Transition of the Construction Sector'

The following day, June 13th, the AFCOS project led the event 'Enabling a Fast-Pace Competitive Twin Transition of the Construction Sector', focusing on how flexible product standardisation can drive the green and digital twin transition in construction. The AFCOS White Paper was introduced, offering practical guidance for standardisation bodies, policymakers and industry stakeholders, with the aim of aligning innovation with sustainability and competitiveness.

'Zero Emission Buildings: Smart Integration of Renewables, Energy Efficiency and Electrification'

Finally, on June 18th, the webinar 'Zero Emission Buildings: Smart Integration of Renewables, Energy Efficiency and Electrification', organised by the FIT4Micro project, addressed the urgent need to intelligently integrate clean energy solutions into existing buildings. Technologies such as microCHCP systems powered by sustainable biofuels, heat pumps and energy labelling were discussed, with particular emphasis on affordability, energy poverty, and youth engagement in the energy transition.

Through diverse yet complementary approaches, these events reinforce a shared vision: to transform Europe’s building stock into a cornerstone of climate neutrality, driven by technological innovation, inclusive policies and cross-sector collaboration.

Themes
Policy and regulatory developments at EU, national or regional levels
Societal issue where these relate to the energy efficiency and renawable energy in buildings
Zero-emission buildings
Building Renovation
Energy efficiency technologies and solutions
Construction materials and circular construction
Heating, Ventilation and Cooling