Climate and energy are the talk of the town in Brussels right now, not just because of a political fad, but because of a cold fact: EU climate legislation is tightening rapidly, and the construction sector is one of its biggest targets.
Construction, as well as the heating, cooling and energy consumption of buildings, account for around 40% of the EU's energy use and over a third of greenhouse gas emissions. With the EU committed to its 2040 climate target, emissions from the construction sector cannot be ignored. In practice, this means that the everyday life of the construction industry will change in the coming years, not only in Germany and France, but also in Finland.
Climate goals guide legislation and legislation guides construction
The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive The EPBD aims to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and also to achieve an emission-free building stock by 2050 at the latest. At the same time, the phase-out of fossil-based heating systems is progressing: support for new oil and gas boilers will end this year, and their use is expected to end by 2040.
Alongside these, the Construction Products Regulation (Construction Products Regulation CPR) and other requirements regarding life cycle emissions, such as the Ecodesign Regulation ESPR. These require reporting on the environmental impacts of materials and the introduction of digital product passports. This is everyday life in the construction industry as the CPR Acquis work progresses.
In addition, regulations now extend more strongly to adaptation to weather conditions. Increasing heat waves and a changing climate mean that cooling systems will also become part of the basic requirements for buildings based on national regulations. This is not necessarily achieved with air conditioning units, but by combining passive and active solutions. The building can also be gravity-fed and there is no need to change the ventilation to mechanical during renovation.
Energy efficiency, living comfort and emission reductions in the same package
One of the most visible changes is the requirement to take cooling into account in new buildings. This has previously received less attention, especially in residential construction in Finland, and it was thought that cooling would be secondary in the north. The EU technical guidance emphasizes that the control of overheating in buildings must be implemented without excessive energy consumption.
In Finland, this means two things in practice: firstly, passive solutions, such as shading, green roofs, window placement and sun protection films, must be systematically included in the design. Secondly, active solutions, such as air conditioning and now heat pump-based cooling systems, will become more common, especially in public and large buildings.
This is both a business opportunity and a skill requirement: Finnish designers and builders can be pioneers by developing solutions that combine energy efficiency, good indoor environmental quality and low emissions.
Basic improvement passports guide emission reductions
A significant change relates to the entire life cycle of buildings. With the new regulations, a building's carbon footprint covers emissions during use as well as construction, materials and demolition. This means two major changes in practice.
The first is that the importance of material choices is increasing. Environmental labels and recyclability of building products are becoming competitive factors.
Secondly, renovation construction will gain a new status. Building renovations will be guided towards phased emission reductions through renovation passports, which means a longer planning horizon and the need to manage EU-level funding opportunities.
In Finland, this requires not only strengthening expertise but also broader cooperation between the materials industry, property owners and authorities.
Building automation and smart systems pay for themselves
Alongside the EPBD and energy efficiency regulations, building automation is becoming a mandatory part of public and large buildings in particular. Systems that optimize heating, cooling and ventilation are no longer just a comfort factor, but the basis for energy savings and emission reductions.
The adoption of automation in Finland has been uneven. In residential buildings in particular, not all benefits are being exploited, but large property owners are making effective use of automation. It is now clear that investments in automation pay for themselves not only in terms of energy bills but also in terms of competitiveness.
Political clarity is also needed here: if Finland wants to keep pace with the EU's development, investment incentives for automation and the skills shortage must be discussed now. It is also important to invest in the renovation of the existing building stock and prepare for the automation of demand response.
The EU's technical guidelines on the weather resistance of buildings are not just intended for Mediterranean countries. Flood risks, heat waves and sudden temperature fluctuations also affect Finland. This means that the layout, ventilation and thermal protection of buildings are an increasingly important part of design, also in the north.
Here is one opportunity for the Finnish construction industry: if sustainable design solutions are developed and exported in a timely manner, Finland has the potential to become an expert in an area that affects all of Europe.
Fast innovators win
EU legislation is currently progressing rapidly, and Member States need to implement it even more rapidly. For Finland, this means three key measures in practice:
- First, foresight is needed: construction industry players must actively monitor the progress of legislation and prepare for changes even before they are recorded in national legislation.
- Competence development is essential. The sector needs training programmes and networks that combine expertise in energy efficiency, automation and sustainable materials technology.
- Political coordination is crucial. Finnish decision-makers must ensure that national implementation supports the competitiveness of the sector and does not create unnecessary cost pressures.
Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue, but also a core issue for the competitiveness of the construction industry. EU regulation will not become lighter, but stricter, and the countries and actors that adapt and innovate the fastest will win.
About the author
Mika Horelli is a freelance journalist who has lived in Brussels for eight years and closely follows the political processes of the European Union and their impact on Finland. He also writes for RT on EU topics that are central to the construction industry. Horelli has previously worked as a freelance journalist in Denmark and the United States.
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