About the project
CirCon4Climate – Circular Construction Practices for Climate Action
Contributing to minimising natural resource consumption and climate change mitigation through strengthening circular construction practices in Czechia, Poland, and Slovenia.
This project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI). EUKI is a project financing instrument by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
The EUKI competition for project ideas is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. It is the overarching goal of the EUKI to foster climate cooperation within the European Union(EU) in order to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Project info
Our mission
The mission of the project is to contribute to climate change mitigation and security of supply in theconstruction sector by strengthening circular construction in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovenia, using best practices from Germany.
The project aims to increase the representation of circular building principles in public procurement, to encourage key players in the construction industry to use secondary materials and, finally, to increase the scale and volume of collection of materials for reuse and recycling, for example through regional material cadastres.
Project concept
Project contributes to climate neutral buildings – developing circular practise and knowledge – civil engineers, public procurement, how we are solving identified problems.
Nowadays there is a strong demand to introduce circular economy practices into the construction sector. The most actual EU documents foresee the reduction of environmental impacts and resource depletion and in the construction sector this can only be achieved by the implementation of several different measures, among them also circular economy principles. The focus of the projects is the transition and increased implementation of good CE principles into CZ, PL, and SVN. One of the important tasks is to increase awareness of the stakeholders and to provide the environment that will enable the transition from a liner towards a circular economy.
The CirCon4Climate project contributes to climate neutral buildings by developing circular knowledge and practices and its effective implementation in Czechia, Poland, and Slovenia. Close collaboration of construction process actors, representing both private and public sectors will allow to understand problems that they face (3.1) and find the best tailor-made solutions based on German experiences. The project intends to build a bridge between representatives of various branches operating in the construction sector, across the whole value chain and establish a forum to discuss and work on the most promising solutions that will accelerate implementation of Fit for 55 package and thus effective transformation towards circular economy models with respect to the environmental, geopolitical, and social conditions occurring locally.
The building materials market does not promote environmentally friendly materials, so it is difficult to expect that this gap will be quickly filled by the efforts of the manufacturers themselves. The project aims to provide a reliable source of environmental information on CE, recycling of building materials and processing of raw materials used in the production of building products.
Conclusions drawn during foreseen roundtable discussions with policymakers, public administration, demolition companies, recyclers, construction products manufacturers, architects and other professionalisms will constitute foundations for currently altering national laws on waste encouraging:
– stakeholders to maximal recovery rate of materials from building objects intended to be demolished.
– industry to look for new business cases related to c&d waste processing and replacing primary materials with the secondary one.
– designers to propose solutions compliant with Ecodesign Directive and supporting the cascade use of materials.
– investors to promote projects following EU Taxonomy Regulation and green public procurements.
Impact
Implementation of circular economy principles is contributing to mitigation of greenhouse gas emission in construction sector.
The implementation of CE practices will contribute to effective mitigation of green-house gas (GHG) emissions (construction sector responsible for 34 % the GHG emissions in EU).
Additionally, valuable resources will be saved, waste streams will be minimized, and the reuse and recycling will be encouraged.
Outcome
Implementing CE practices will contribute to effective mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in (construction sector, which is responsible for 34 % of the GHG emissions in the EU). Additionally, valuable resources will be saved, waste streams will be minimized, and reuse and recycling will be encouraged.
This will be achieved by enhancing CE practices in the construction sector in CZ, PL, and SVN.he mission of the project is to contribute to climate change mitigation and security of supply in theconstruction sector by strengthening circular construction in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovenia, using best practices from Germany.
First, knowledge on design strategies for increasing the circularity of buildings will be summarized and developed in the guideline. This knowledge will be further enhanced by investigating potentials for the reduction of greenhouse gases for selected circular and low-carbon building materials. Simultaneously, knowledge on the creation of material cadastres is developed to enable the identification of the circular potential for public representatives.
The dissemination of this knowledge will be supported by the implementation of CE practices in procurement processes. To prepare the entire construction sector for circular requirements in procurement processes, the project will be raising awareness among professionals and stakeholders through the Recycling Academy course and disseminating CE principles and examples of good practice among students at universities through the piloting of a semester course.
Partners
Czech Technical University in Prague, University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings, Czech Republic – Lead Partner
Research institute dedicated to sustainable building. Associates the experts from Czech Technical University in Prague dealing with sustainable buildings.
Facilitates university and industry cooperation, focuses on the commercialization of research results and technology transfer.
Develops, innovates and offers original solutions for sustainable buildings throughout their lifecycle, including a healthy indoor environment, considering saving of investment, operating and energy costs.
Contact person: Barbora Vlasatá
Telephone: + 420 776 520 891
Email: barbora.vlasata@cvut.cz
Website: http://www.uceeb.cvut.cz/
Address: Třinecká 1024, Buštěhrad 273 43, Czech Republic
Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development, Poland
The Institute for Innovation and Responsible Development INNOWO is a foundation, a non-governmental organisation, THINk toDO TANK established to support the development of innovation and the implementation of systemic change for sustainable socio-economic progress.
INNOWO collaborates with different stakeholder groups such as scientists, government, policy makers, entrepreneurs and NGOs to initiate joint actions for the betterment of society and the environment. We combine knowledge from multiple disciplines with expertise at the local and international level to gain a broader perspective and lead effective, coordinated action. We use innovation to chart new and better paths to a sustainable future. We support decision-makers in identifying effective legislative and policy instruments to engage businesses and consumers in achieving a meaningful and sustainable shift towards sustainable production and consumption. We help consumers see the consequences of their choices and foster a sense of responsibility for the planet. https://www.innowo.org/
Expertise in socio-economic analysis of new business models, innovations, new technologies. Resources flow analysis. Development and implementation of circular economy strategies and policies. Stakeholder relation and communication. Member of Coordinating Group of European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, member of expert group for circular economy under National Smart Specialization of Ministry of Economic Development and Technology in Poland.
Contact person: Agnieszka Sznyk
Telephone: +48 694360890
Email: a.sznyk@innowo.org
Address: Tyniecka 38, Warsaw 02-621, Poland
ITB, Instytut Techniki Budowlanej (Building Research Instutute), Poland
The Thermal Physics, Acoustics and Environment Department)
ITB is a research institute that conducts research in the field of construction and related fields, aimed at their implementation and application in practice. ITB is supervised by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.
The accumulated long-standing experience (since 1945), the excellently educated research staff holding a high scientific and professional position in the country and in European construction research institutions, as well as the strong and modern research base created at the Institute (Research Laboratory Complex), the obtained authorisations and accreditations are a guarantee of the high quality of the work carried out and ensure ITB’s position as an experienced and reliable partner for the construction industry, well prepared to compete in the European research market.
Address: Filtrowa Street, 1, Warsaw 00-611, Poland
Contact person: Dr Mateusz Kozicki
Phone: +48 797 431 904
Email: m.kozicki@itb.pl
Website: https://www.itb.pl
Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional, Germany
Development: Built Environment – Resources and Environmental Risks
The Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) is a non-university research centre and a member of the Leibniz Association. With the present vision and mission statement (Leitbild) we formulate strategic directions for the future development of the IOER. The Leitbild provides long-term orientations for our research and transfer activities, which are further operationalised in our research program. It equally stipulates principles in terms of organisation, management and cooperation. The Leitbild was developed in an open co-creation process with the staff members and is updated regularly.
The Research Area Built Environment – Resources and Environmental Risks investigates sustainability issues related to the use, development and the materiality of the built environment, as well as spatial relationships with the natural environment. We understand the built environment as part of complex socio-ecological-technical systems, which physically includes buildings, infrastructures and open spaces shaped by humans.
Our research is oriented towards ambitious sustainability and climate protection goals (“minimising the consumption of natural resources”, “limiting global warming” “increasing resilience in cities and regions”) and aims to contribute to shape a future-proof and resilient built environment. In doing so, we consider social and technical innovations that contribute to achieving these goals at different spatial levels.
ZAG Zavod za gradbeništvo Slovenije Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Slovenia
Department of Building Physics, The Laboratory for Thermal Performance and Acoustics
Experts of the laboratory investigate and provide technical and expert support to the important work of sustainable construction: the field of the energy efficiency of buildings, renewable energy in buildings, integrated life-cycle analysis (LCA, LCC), high-quality of the dwelling and working environment, including studies of noise and protection from noise pollution in construction, industry, and transport, and the acoustical design of rooms, auditoria, and sports halls to meet specified acoustic requirements. The Laboratory’s work also includes the provision of support to manufacturers in meeting legislative requirements, as well as cooperation with industry, businesses, and individuals who encounter problems or have questions in the field of energy efficiency and protection against noise.
The team is made up of researchers and experts in building physics, materials, and energy. Through the acquisition of new knowledge and the possession of top-class testing equipment, as well as by linking together with experts from various fields both in Slovenia and in other countries, the Laboratory can provide technical and scientific excellence.
Address: Dimiceva 12, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
Contact person: Petra Horvat
Telephone: 0038640506627
Email: Petra.horvat@zag.si