Session

The European Commission reports that buildings account for 40% of the EU's energy use and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the EU's Climate Target Plan for 2030, a transition towards high energy efficient buildings is needed. As part of this effort, the European Green Deal prioritizes the development of positive energy districts and nearly zero-energy buildings. These solutions are usually characterized by high investment costs and a significant burden shifting onto embodied environmental impacts. Experts are concerned about how socially vulnerable individuals, who rely on affordable housing, can be included in this transformation process. This thematic session aims at demonstrating how innovative approaches can tackle the broader sustainability challenge of making the building energy transition affordable for a diverse group of people. We welcome submissions that explore a diverse range of methodologies, from Life Cycle Assessment (LCA, LCC, and S-LCA) to sustainability protocols, as well as community engagement and empowerment approaches.