
The Copenhagen Lessons
The World Congress took place in Copenhagen on JULY 2-6 2023, highlighting terms such as ‘archtivism’, biodiversity, social inclusion, universal design & climate justice as well as investigating how architecture can contribute to the UN 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
The Copenhagen Lessons consist of 10 principles for a rapid and radical change in the built environment to reach the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs). The congress demonstrated that the architectural solutions are already here, contributing to sustainable communities and quality of life. However, the built environment is also an active part of the current challenges: a major consumer of energy and natural resources, and a producer of waste – and it can have a huge impact on both inequality and public health. The construction industry alone accounts for 40% of global CO2 emissions and 35% of total waste, which calls for urgent action.
10 Principles
01: Dignity and agency for all people is fundamental in architecture, there is no beauty in exclusion.
02: People at risk of being left behind must be accommodated first when we construct, plan, and develop the built environment.
03: Existing built structures must always be reused first.
04: No new development must erase green fields.
05: Naturel ecosystems and food production must be sustained regardless of the built context.
06: No virgin mineral material must be used in construction when reuse is possible.
07: No waste must be produced or left behind in construction.
08: When sourcing materials for construction, local renewable materials come first.
09: In everything we build, carbon capture must exceed carbon footprint.
10: When developing, planning, and constructing the built environment, every activity must have a positive impact on water ecosystems and clean water supply.


The European Green Deal
A growth strategy that protects the climate
The European Green Deal was designed as the EU’s compass to achieve those goals. It aims to ensure zero emissions by 2050, making Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world.
In 2021 the EU adopted its first EU climate law. It set in stone Europe’s goals to become climate-neutral by 2050, as well as a target of 55% less emissions by 2030, in comparison to 1990.
As required under the Climate Law, the Commission also recommended, in February 2024, an additional intermediate target of 90 % less emissions by 2040, confirming our direction of travel.
National energy and climate plans (NECP)
EU countries’ 10-year national energy and climate plans for 2021-2030
The national energy and climate plans (NECPs) were introduced by the Regulation on the governance of the energy union and climate action (EU)2018/1999, agreed as part of the Clean energy for all Europeans package which was adopted in 2019.
The national plans outline how the EU countries intend to address the 5 dimensions of the energy union:
1. Decarbonisation.
2. Energy efficiency.
3. Energy security.
4. Domestic energy market.
5. Research, innovation and competitiveness.
This approach requires a coordination of purpose across all government departments, and it provides a level of planning that will ease public and private investment.


The Greek “National Energy and Climate Plan” (NECP) is a Strategic Plan for the Greek Government on Climate and Energy issues and presents a detailed roadmap for the achievement of comparable Energy and Climate Targets by the year 2030.
The NECP presents and analyses Policy Priorities and Measures across a wide range of development and economic activities for the benefit of Greek society, making it the reference document for the next decade.
The Revised Hellenic NECP was put out to public consultation in August 2024 in accordance with the new EU directives.
Sustainable buildings
Reducing our energy usage does not need to be at the expense of other priorities, such as environmental or health issues. A life-cycle approach demonstrates that foamed insulation materials exhibit superior environmental performance over competing alternatives.
They also positively contribute to the indoor air quality of buildings, as shown by their excellent ratings in this area. Learn more about the sustainability credentials of polymeric construction materials in the sites of our members.
If Europe is to achieve its climate and energy goals, reducing our energy usage is essential. Buildings lie at the heart of this, and insulation is a universally accepted solution. High-performing and sustainable insulating materials cannot only help tackle climate change but also help reduce costs and improve the comfort of consumer.
