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Updated: May 27, 2026
09:34
Implementation of Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) for the Real-driving Emissions (RDE) Regulation in Europe
Published on: December 4, 2016
Context-specific life cycle emissions pathways for EU buildings and construction.
Nicolas Alaux1, Nicolas Bechstedt1, Xiaoyang Zhong2,3
1Graz University of Technology, Institute of Structural Design, Working Group Sustainable Construction, Graz, Austria.
Nature Communications
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Achieving the European Union's climate goals requires avoiding 8.53 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2050. Relying solely on energy efficiency is insufficient; a combined strategy including reduced space demand and circularity is key.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Building Science
- Climate Policy
Background:
- The European Union has set ambitious climate targets: a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.
- Translating these targets into actionable strategies for the diverse building and construction sectors across EU Member States presents significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model building stocks across all 27 EU Member States and evaluate a wide range of life cycle emissions scenarios.
- To assess the feasibility of achieving EU climate targets considering national capacities and identify optimal reduction strategies.
Main Methods:
- Development and analysis of 4096 distinct life cycle emissions scenarios for the EU building stock.
- Integration of national capacities and diverse mitigation strategies, including energy efficiency, material production, space demand reduction, circularity, and bio-based materials.
Main Results:
- Achieving the EU's 2050 climate targets necessitates avoiding 8.53 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) between 2020 and 2050.
- Strategies focused solely on energy efficiency and material production would surpass national capacities by 2.72 billion tons CO2eq.
- A comprehensive approach combining reduced per capita space demand, circular economy principles, and bio-based materials could yield an additional 2.19 billion tons CO2eq reduction within national limits.
Conclusions:
- EU climate targets for the building sector are achievable but require a multifaceted strategy beyond traditional energy efficiency measures.
- National-level analysis is crucial for tailoring effective climate policies in the building sector.
- Policy design should prioritize integrated strategies that incorporate reduced space demand, circularity, and sustainable materials to maximize emissions reductions within national capacities.
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