Promoting and advancing in the sustainability of the construction sector is the objective of the GBC. Today he knows firsthand the process of the construction sector towards decarbonization.
Does construction progress properly towards sustainability in Spain?
When I started, we were “the rare”; Now we are not so minority, but we still can’t say that it is 100% of the sector. In GBC we have 450 associates, one hundred and peak companies, including large manufacturers, most of the great promoters, some construction companies and engineering, etc., who even ask that we push to go faster. But, so that the incorporation of new sustainable practices is normal when building, I think one of lime and another of sand. On the one hand, nobody says supported … what? But part of the sector is still a bit lazy until it forces the regulations. Even so, and in these times, not being against but receptive is already a lot.
Will it be majority one day?
When asking for society. Normatively, houses, buildings will be better and better, yes or yes. An efficient house is better built, it is better for health, well -being and pocket, which tends to forget when buying a house, which is a great investment. But, for example, an energy inefficient is an economic horror, a bottomless well.
However, second -hand flood sales ads always have the energy certificate in process.
I believe that the sector has not been able to explain to society what the certificate is for and why it is important that an energetically efficient housing. And, perhaps, the owners themselves do not consider that it is a value to prove that this house is efficient. But how will we care what we pay for light or gas heating?
How has construction evolved in sustainability?
It has gone through stages. First came energy efficiency. Then, referring to the complete envelope and the solutions. The last thing to arrive has been the debate of the materials. Until now, the use of the building imported and gave a little equal to what is done. Now we are with the carbon footprint and we have to ask ourselves how much energy there is foundation, bricks, windows and structures, for manufacturing, transport, etc. processes etc.
What are they seeing?
That any material is no longer worth it. Now it is valued that it is proximity, which consumes little energy in production or does not emit CO2. and others such as cement are put in Brete. And we look at others that had been abandoned. Can we recover the wood, or rethink buildings made with adobe or other materials, which are natural and close, such as sheep wool, textile waste, paper paste, etc.?
How do you see industrialized construction, which is currently approved by the government?
It is a key tool and very promising in several ways. It raises the works a lot and allows to build more homes at the same time, very important in the current context of housing crisis. In the sustainability part, industrialization will help a lot in the decarbonization of the sector, which can advance a lot of energy efficiency and carbon footprint, take advantage of waste, open the future of some local materials, such as wood, and be a great opportunity to reindustrialize our country; In addition, very distributed in the territory.
It looks like a good option.
Let’s see, it’s not so easy. Industrializing does not automatically mean being sustainable. In the global sector there is a long way to go and there are no simple solutions. You have to use many tools and, yes, this is one of them.