LECA INTERNATIONAL SEMINARLECA INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR

AN AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN EUROPE

HARSTAD27th June, 2002

byJohn Goodall

Director Environmental Affairs - FIEC

Introduction (1)Introduction (1)

What is FIEC ?FIEC is the European Construction Industry Federation

-- 32 national member federations in 25 countries

-- Representing firms of all sizes

-- Practising all kinds of construction activity

-- « Sectoral Social Partner » in the European Social Dialogue

-- Associate member in CEN- Participant in the European Construction Forum

Introduction (2)Introduction (2)

The sector in EuropeTotal construction 2001 (EU 15): 868 billion EURO

-- 10% of GDP; 48,9% of Gross fixed capital formation

- 1,9 million enterprises

-- 11 million operatives

-- Europe’s largest industrial employer

-- 26 million workers depend, directly or indirectly, on the sector

-- Multiplier effect (1=2)

Introduction (3)Introduction (3)

The sector in the world- $US 3000 billion- 30% Europe- 22% US- 21% Japan- 4% rest of developed world- 23% developing countries

Introduction (4)Introduction (4)

The sector in the World (1998 ILO figures)111 million employeesOutput per person employed:- $US 79.623 in the developed world- $US 8.507 in developing countries- developing countries share of output has

increased from about 10% in 1965 to about 23% in 1998

Background to sustainable developmentBackground to sustainable development

« Limits to Growth » - Club of Rome (1972)

« Our common future » - Brundtland Report (1987)

« Agenda 21 » - Rio de Janeiro (1992)

« Habitat Agenda » (1996)

WSSD « RIO + 10 » Johannesburg (2002)

The 3 pillars of sustainable The 3 pillars of sustainable developmentdevelopment

Economic

Social

Environmental (ecological)

United Nations Environment United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)Programme (UNEP)

– Interface

- « civil society »

- Industry

- Public administrations– Agenda 21Rio + 10 (Johannesbourg 2002)– Declaration for Cleaner Production– Global Compact (Davos 1999)– Global reporting initiative (1997)

The European ApproachThe European Approach

Summit Meetings:

Amsterdam (1997) Cardiff (1998)

Helsinki (1999) Gothenburg (2001)

Amsterdam Treaty (new Article 6)Amsterdam Treaty (new Article 6)

Sustainable development of economic activities

Promote economic and social progress « integration » of environmental protection

requirements Environmental impact assesment studies High level of health and consumer

protection.

INTEGRATED PRODUCT POLICYINTEGRATED PRODUCT POLICY

Definition:

« an environmental policy designed to constantly improve the environmental characteristics of products and services throughout the life cycle »

Lower consumption of resourcesGradual lowering of harmful substancesAppropriate mix of voluntary or binding

agreementsIncentives to promote product management,

eco-efficiency, eco-designLife cycle, chain effects + cooperation with

suppliers

INTEGRATED PRODUCT POLICYINTEGRATED PRODUCT POLICY

CompetitivenessCompetitiveness

1997 - Commission Communication [COM (97) 539 final] and Action Plan

1998 - Council Conclusions1999 – Tripartite meeting (joint priorities)WG « Sustainable Construction » set up

Sustainability impacts of Sustainability impacts of construction:construction:

+/- 50% of all material taken from the earths’crust.

+/- 35% of all greenhouse gas emissions+/- 40% of all waste produced (by weight but

mostly recycled)

+ the well-being of the Europe’s largest industrial workforce!

WG « Sustainable WG « Sustainable Construction »Construction »

4 Task Groups4 Task Groups

TG1 - Environmentally friendly construction

materiels

TG2 - Energy efficiency in building

TG3 - Construction and demolition waste

management

TG4 - Whole-life costs of construction

CompetitivenessCompetitivenessWG recommendations (1)WG recommendations (1)

Whole life costs of construction

Sustainable procurement

Sustainability performance indicators

WG Recommendations (2)WG Recommendations (2)

National plans and European programmes (guidelines)

Development of software tools

Education and awareness raising

R+D actions and initiatives

National Plans & Programmes National Plans & Programmes published to date:published to date:

FinlandGermanyIrelandLuxembourgNetherlandsSwedenUnited Kingdom

TG 1 Environmentally Friendly TG 1 Environmentally Friendly Construction Materials Construction Materials Recommendations (1)Recommendations (1)

Adopt a life-cycle approach to improving environmental performance

Life-cycle inventory based environmental data schemes (LEDCM) should become general practice

CEN harmonisation of national LEDCM schemes

TG 1 Environmentally Friendly TG 1 Environmentally Friendly Construction Materials Construction Materials Recommendations (2)Recommendations (2)

LEDCM will assist architects and specifiers in taking environmental impacts into account when designing construction works

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and not ECO-labels are appropriate for construction products

Promote adoption of environmental audit schemes (ISO 14001 and EMAS)

TG 2 New European Directive (226) TG 2 New European Directive (226)

Energy Performance of BuildingsEnergy Performance of BuildingsRequirements as regards:- common methodology: « CO2 emission

indicator »- minimum standards: new as well as large

existing buildings > 1000 m2 subject to renovation

TG 2 New European Directive (226) TG 2 New European Directive (226)

Energy Performance of BuildingsEnergy Performance of Buildings– energy certificate (<5 years old) of all buildings

sold or rented out to be provided to any prospective buyer or tenant

– and to be displayed in all buildings open to the public

– regular inspections of boilers (>10 kW) and a/c systems (>12 kW)

TG 3 Construction and Demolition TG 3 Construction and Demolition

Waste Management RecommendationsWaste Management Recommendations Waste prevention oriented planning and

designRecovery oriented constructionDevelop codes of practiceGive preference to recyclable primary

materials and productsAgree and adopt acceptable KPIs to

benchmark performance

SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS AS CONCERNS AS CONCERNS

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND PRODUCTSAND PRODUCTS

Principle Construction Materials – 1995Principle Construction Materials – 1995

0

20

40

60

80

100

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140

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1500

2000

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3000

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Components of life cycle energy use, Components of life cycle energy use, annualised over a 60 year building life (per annualised over a 60 year building life (per

mm22 of floor area). of floor area).

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London

Manchester

Components of life cycle carbon dioxide production Components of life cycle carbon dioxide production as a by-product of energy use. Annualised over a 60 as a by-product of energy use. Annualised over a 60

year building life (per myear building life (per m22 of floor area). of floor area).

0

50

100

150

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Environmental Information on Environmental Information on Construction Products (EICP)Construction Products (EICP)

EICP is a voluntary, industry based initiative for providing transparent, accurate and reliable information on construction products

Expert Workshop on LCA for Construction Products, 20 June 2002 CEPMC

EICP provides transparent, accurate EICP provides transparent, accurate and reliable information for:and reliable information for:

the optimal eco-design of new products

the improvement of existing products

Expert Workshop on LCA for Construction Products, 20 June 2002 CEPMC

AND

EICP provides transparent, accurate EICP provides transparent, accurate and reliable information for:and reliable information for:

- assisting architects, specifiers, contractors, purchasers in their choice of products (for a specific application) and in the eco-efficient and safe design, use and maintenance of construction works

- assisting contractors and recycling companies in the environmentally friendly recovery (or safe disposal) of waste materials from end-of-life construction works

Expert Workshop on LCA for Construction Products, 20 June 2002 CEPMC

EICPEICPA level playing field for suppliersA level playing field for suppliers

Most national schemes are based on ISO TR 14025, Type III Environmental Declarations – Guiding Principles and Procedures

Within a single (national) scheme there is a recognised, uniform methodology and presentation format for all construction products

Avoidance of « eco-marketing » wars

Expert Workshop on LCA for Construction Products, 20 June 2002 CEPMC

EICP vs Eco-labelsEICP vs Eco-labels Eco-labels Type 1 (ISO 14024) Pass/fail award scheme (with

cut-off points set on what basis?)

Suitable for end-consumer requiring quick non-detailed information

Suitable for “end-use” products

Environ. Declarations Type III (ISO TR 14025) Available for all products No comparison or weighting

against other products

Detailed information available for B2B purchasers/

specifiers

Suitable for materials/products components/to be incorporated into end-use product (e.g. a building)

Expert Workshop on LCA for Construction Products, 20 June 2002 CEPMC

EICP vs « preference listsEICP vs « preference lists » »

Increasing incidence of so-called « environmental experts » creating lists of recommended « green » products for use by public authorities

Industry generated EICP based on accepted LC methodology constitutes a far better alternative

Expert Workshop on LCA for Construction Products, 20 June 2002 CEPMC

« « Greening » of public Greening » of public procurementprocurement

EC Communication on Public Procurement and the Environment

- eco-labels/EMAS not mandatory but may be used as proof of compliance with certain environmental requirements

Further legislation to make eco-labelling and EMAS as sole proof of compliance?

With EICP eco-labelling is not necessary

Expert Workshop on LCA for Construction Products, 20 June 2002 CEPMC

What directions should EICP take What directions should EICP take now?now?

Standardisation of methodology (cf. AFNOR and ISO/TC59)

Harmonisation of national and European EICP schemes

Acceptance by both private and public procurement purchasers that EICP is more suited to their needs than eco-labelling

Expert Workshop on LCA for Construction Products, 20 June 2002 CEPMC

New Study: LCA tools and New Study: LCA tools and environmental aspects in harmonised environmental aspects in harmonised

standards in constructionstandards in construction« provide technical specification writers with specific information how and where to include environmental performance indicators and other key environmental aspects (e.g. release of dangerous substances) within the framework of European Technical Specifications for construction products of the CPD based on an IPP approach »

New study (cont’d)New study (cont’d)

Task 1: Short description of existing schemes

Task 2: Comparison of existing schemesTask 3: Proposal for a scheme to provide

environmental information

WebsitesWebsites

www.uneptie.orgwww.unglobalcompact.orgwww.globalreporting.orgeuropa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/

construction/compet/compcon.htm

WWW. FIEC.ORGWWW. FIEC.ORG