What are we doing related to the climate emergency and the built environment? #COP28

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is widely considered to be the last and best opportunity to address the climate emergency by accelerating action towards meeting climate goals, before we lock-in irreversible changes. The built environment is a significant contributor to the climate crisis; and is associated with 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, and the building industry’s construction and demolition account more than a third of all waste produced. Below, ASUTUT and associated researchers give a snapshot of some of their work being done to address these challenges.

  • ​I co-chair the Finnish Energy Observatory (FEnO), a network that aims to address Finland’s most pressing energy challenges related to climate change. We’ve found significant public demand. Initial evidence calls for a strengthening of efforts to address climate change, ensuring a fair and equitable climate neutral transition. I also coordinate ARCH4FUTURE, a carbon neutral architecture knowledge exchange for students and teachers between Finland and China, funded by the Finnish government

    Raul

  • I focus on social and cultural aspects of living environments in private and shared spaces. The living environment is vital in the climate crisis, not only as a direct source of carbon emissions, but also in the everyday practices and experiences that take place in the environment, and the meanings attached to them by residents. These can influence sustainable lifestyles and consumption - for instance, sharing practices are more likely in environments which support self-imposed action and social contact. High quality environments can operate as neighbourhood social infrastructure, promoting social encounters and resulting wellbeing, which is important when facing climate change hazards such as heat waves and flooding.

    Katja

  • My research interests span from sustainable housing design to sustainable architectural education. My doctoral research addresses the formulation and reshaping of professional identities, values, norms and praxis through architectural education. I am particularly interested in exploring paths towards transformative action and using these insights to discover resilient, responsive and democratic cultures of learning, teaching and practicing architecture in the climate emergency.

    Essi

  • My research in sustainable architecture pedagogies is part of ARCH4CHANGE and is implemented in my teaching in the Sustainable Architecture masters, further contributing to the radical transformation that is needed in our field through the education of the future generation of architects. I am also a co-founding member of ACAN Finland (Architects Climate Action Network Finland).”

    Sofie

  • The EU has a goal to reduce energy consumption of buildings by applying highly efficient building standards. Building retrofit is critical for addressing climate change by minimising energy consumption in buildings, but also requires adapting to changing climate conditions and improving indoor environmental quality. My research focuses on the performance of retrofitted residential buildings in the EU in terms of energy reduction, occupants’ satisfaction, health, and wellbeing within the built environment.

    Mohammed

  • I research historic traditions and practices of sustainable architecture in the Nordic countries as a way of learning from the past to develop ideas for the future. The Brundtland Report defined sustainability into three dimensions: environment, economy and social. These dimensions are reflected in the drivers of sustainable approaches in architecture in the Nordic region over the past 100 years, such as 1) good climatic responses, 2) involvement of vernacular traditions of craftsmanship and 3) social and political values arising from the welfare state.

    Troels

  • I teach and research about learning, working and hybrid environments with a focus on sharing of facilities, adaptable spaces and transformation of the existing facilities to accommodate changing occupant needs to support the life-cycle of buildings. I also contribute with human-centric design and research methods across a range of different research projects. After all, to ensure sustainability, our spaces must work for the users it is intended for.

    Jenni