The EU’s target of nearly zero-energy building by 2020 places great demands on building systems in the properties. In practice, a zero-energy building produces the same amount of renewable energy as it consumes in terms of fossil fuels. This requires extremely energy-efficient building systems and a reduction of the energy needs for heating premises and service water. The targets are as follows:

• 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within the EU compared to the emission levels of 1990
• 20% of energy consumption from renewables
• 20% reduction in primary energy consumption

The targets set for 2030 are even stricter. The binding reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions is 40%. The target is also to increase the use of renewal energy sources by 27%. In addition, there is an indicative target to improve energy efficiency by 27%.

The practical implications of these targets mean that all new buildings should be almost zero-energy buildings – i.e. buildings that produce the same amount of energy as they consume − as early as by the end of 2020. In addition, an increasing share of energy must be renewable energy, such as ground heat or solar energy.

To meet these strict requirements, environmental impacts must be examined over the entire life cycle of a building.

Cooperation with other industry operators

Cooperation with other industry operators further improves APIS’s possibilities to strengthen its competence in energy-efficient and eco-friendly building systems.

We participate in the local activities of the international Green Building Council in several countries, including Finland, Sweden, Norway and Germany. The network promotes practices related to sustainable development in built environments, as well as the environmental classification of buildings.