E. Giama

Rating systems for counting buildings' environmental performance

The design, construction, use and demolition of buildings generate substantial social and economic benefits to society but may also have serious negative impacts especially for the environment. In response to the demand for evaluation and management of buildings’ environmental performance, several tools and methodologies have been developed and are being implemented in the construction sector aiming at sustainable performance. The research work is focusing on environmental management tools emphasising to rating systems’ analysis, comparison and implementation for buildings’ environmental performance. The LEED and BREEAM guides for existing buildings and new construction are compared, similarities and differences are analysed and a joint evaluation guide for existing buildings derived as a result of the rating systems’ analysis. Finally BREEAM and LEED were implemented to a new constructed multiuse office building in Greece in order to compare the results obtained.

The impact of economic recession on domestic energy consumption

The ongoing economic recession that hit Greece in 2009 has considerably influenced the use of domestic heating sources, as households struggle to reduce energy consumption and the respective costs. With global energy demand and the heating oil prices being rather volatile, but not in extremis during the last five years, alternative heating systems with the respective resources are being considered by consumers, in order to cut down heating expenses. At the same time, these alternatives are not always the greener or the most sustainable ones. The current paper presents and analyses the impacts of the recession on the consumers’ behaviour regarding space heating. A field survey was carried out, by means of interviews with questionnaires, in Northern Greece, an area where there is an increased energy demand for heating and hence an intensive need for efficient solutions. The questionnaire was structured in an appropriate way in order to collect the available data, not only to identify the significant variables but also to capture any minor details that could be helpful in achieving our goal: gain reliable information about the energy consumption and the respective cost of heating at an annual base as well as their interconnection. The variables employed in the survey include among others: the building type, construction year, surface, main heating system, alternative heating systems (fireplace, AC unit, electric heater and stove), operating hours, saving measures, energy consumption and annual income. Any potential correlation between the aforementioned parameters will be explored while a mathematical description of their relation will be further attempted. The results of the survey carried out during 2011 and 2012 are presented and the most noteworthy conclusions are highlighted. The initial outcome proves that there is a certain trend of shrinkage of the households’ budget spent for domestic heating purposes as a consequence of the inhabitants’ income reduction and the dramatic tax increase on energy.

Sustainable building management: overview of certification schemes and standards

Building sustainable management is a complex problem which needs adequate and suitable assessment tools and methods, efficient enough, to address issues of incommensurability and complexity regarding environmental policies and legislation. Within the frame of this article, assessment methods have been described, are compared with each other and evaluated in the background of the standards provided by the International Organization for Standardization. The certification schemes examined include Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Deutche Gesellschaft fur Nachhaltiges Bauen, Green Star, High Environmental Quality, Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency and GBTool assessment methods as well as the draft EU Ecolabel for office buildings. Emphasis have been placed on information referring to objectives, methodology, criteria involved in the evaluation procedure, environmental topics evaluated, life cycle analysis phases covered, costs and applications’ results within the tools’ structure for new building schemes. Finally, the impact of green certification schemes on the construction market, mainly as a tool of energy management, has also been examined in relation to the absence of mandatory international standardization in sustainable building management.

Life Cycle Versus Carbon Footprint Analysis for Construction Materials

Climatic change, with the increase of ambient temperature, undoubtedly affects the built environment and leads to a significant increase in energy consumption in the building sector—which is already the biggest energy consumer in Europe. Environmental assessment tools provide an effective framework with appropriate indicators for evaluating the environmental performance of buildings and materials for targeting the integration of the sustainable development of a building’s entire life cycle, based on ISO standards and environmental legislation, into the design, construction, and marketing. Direct benefits associated with the building certification schemes include the fostering of energy and CO2 emissions reductions, as well as broader environmental benefits, increased public awareness of energy and environmental issues, and achieving lower operational costs for users—especially now that the ongoing economic recession has affected so many European countries.

Construction Materials and Green Building Certification

Sustainable building management is a complex problem which needs effective, adequate and suitable assessment tools and methods to address issues of incommensurability and complexity, always considering the prevailing environmental policies and legislation. Within the frame of this paper, green certifications building schemes have been described, compared to each other and evaluated, against the background of the standards provided by the International Organization for Standardization. Emphasis have been placed on information referring to construction materials environmental evaluation based on the Life Cycle Analysis methodology and the role of construction materials selection to green building certification schemes. Finally, the impact of green certification schemes on the construction market, mainly as a tool of energy management, has also been examined in relation to the absence of mandatory international standardization in sustainable building management.

Carbon footprint analysis as a tool for energy and environmental management in small and medium-sized enterprises

ABSTRACT The reduction of carbon emissions has become a top priority in the decision-making process for governments and companies, the strict European legislation framework being a major driving force behind this effort. On the other hand, many companies face difficulties in estimating their footprint and in linking the results derived from environmental evaluation processes with an integrated energy management strategy, which will eventually lead to energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions. The paper highlights the need of companies to establish integrated environmental management practices, with tools such as carbon footprint analysis to monitor the energy performance of production processes. Concepts and methods are analysed, and selected indicators are presented by means of benchmarking, monitoring and reporting the results in order to be used effectively from the companies. The study is based on data from more than 90 Greek small and medium enterprises, followed by a comprehensive discussion of cost-effective and realistic energy-saving measures.

Distance learning education for mitigation/adaptation policy: a case study

The efficient training of young environmental scientists has proven to be a challenging goal over the last years, while several dynamic initiatives have been developed aiming to provide complete and consistent education. A successful example is the e-learning course for participants mainly coming from emerging economy countries ‘Development of mitigation/adaptation policy portfolios’ organised in the frame of the project Promitheas4: Knowledge transfer and research needs for preparing mitigation/adaptation policy portfolios, aiming to provide knowledge transfer, enhance new skills and competencies, using modern didactic approaches and learning technologies. The present paper addresses the experience and the results of these actions, which seem promising and encouraging and were broadly welcomed by the participants.