Encourage sustainable construction, ie the construction of buildings that are more respectful of the environment and less energy-consuming. Everyone is for, or almost, on a planetary scale. But on how to do it, opinions differ.
This is the observation drawn up by the Sustainable Construction Observatory set up by Saint-Gobain, whose first international barometer was presented on Wednesday 12 April. An unprecedented exercise, with 800 people questioned in ten countries: construction professionals, representatives of associations, students and local elected officials.
In any case, there is an emergency. Construction accounts for 40% of CO2 emissions and 50% of the use of natural resources. By 2050, the Earth will have 2.5 billion additional city dwellers in emerging countries.
Surprising results
The results of this barometer are quite surprising. First, the definition of « construction durable » remains unclear, even for those surveyed, who are nevertheless part of the sector: 30% do not really know what this concept covers, 12% having never even heard of it.
The perception also diverges according to the place of residence. In Europe as in the United States, the first objectives put forward for sustainable construction are the protection of the environment and the fight against climate change. Conversely, in India, South Africa and even Vietnam, the improvement of the living environment and the health of the inhabitants is mentioned first.
Different perceptions depending on the country
Depending on the zone, the look at the brakes and the acceleration levers also reveals very large differences. In developed countries, cost remains the main obstacle to the development of sustainable construction. In emerging countries, it is the lack of training and the inadequacy of standards.
In other words, the development of sustainable construction necessarily involves local responses. “The good news is that the awareness is global and that, everywhere, we will no longer build in the same way. But there are still a lot of expectations, if we want to get everyone on board”underlines Benoît Bazin, Managing Director of Saint-Gobain.
Accelerating energy renovation
In France, for example, he regrets the attitude of bankers, who do not take sufficient account, according to him, of the quality of goods in mortgages. The boss of Saint-Gobain also pleads for the establishment of subsidized loans, so that households can do insulation work, for example, with the key to a relaxation of borrowing conditions.
Benoît Bazin also suggests the reactivation of the old energy tax credit mechanisms and a reorientation of the MaPrimeRénov’ system towards the most energy-intensive dwellings, those classified F and G. In support of this proposal, he recalls that, according to the Scientific and Technical Building Center (CSTB), 20% of the French building stock accounts for 70% of CO2 emissions.