The Sufficiency in the Building Sector: for the EU Whole Life Carbon Roadmap (Dec 2024) report highlights sufficiency — maximizing the use of existing buildings before constructing new ones — as a key solution.
Key takeaways:
Renovate first — prioritize reuse over demolition
Optimize space — adapt buildings for flexible, multi-purpose use
Design for longevity — ensure buildings can evolve over time
Beyond reducing embodied carbon, sufficiency helps preserve green spaces, limit resource extraction, and curb urban sprawl — all while addressing housing shortages. EU policy is shifting to support these strategies, but more action is needed.
Explore the findings and case studies: Sufficiency in the building sector: for the EU Whole Life Carbon Roadmap | BUILD UP