Buildings are crucial for CO2 reductions
|
The VELUX Group is ahead of its ambitious goal to cut its global CO2 emissions by 50% by 2020 compared to the 2007 level. In 2020, the Group expects to be nine years ahead of the EU 2degree target. Nonetheless, the Group believes there should be much more focus on buildings as a part of the overall solution.
More and more attention must be given to housing when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption. Buildings today account for 40% of the energy consumed in Europe.
In the work for reducing energy use and CO2 emissions, buildings are an overlooked potential. Based on 21 experiments across Europe, we have shown that it is possible to meet the 2020 targets with the technology available today,
The VELUX Group has built 21 houses, in 12 countries with different climatic conditions, to develop sustainable solutions for future buildings.
These experiments have proved that the solutions for tomorrow’s buildings are already here. But we should not only look at future housing; 90% of the buildings we will be using in 2050 have already been built, and most of them are in need of modernisation to improve comfort as well as energy efficiency,
The total energy spend in Europe on buildings accounts for 37% of CO2 emissions. But 75% of those buildings are energy inefficient. The VELUX Group has therefore embarked on a project to renovate an existing building in Brussels − at an affordable price and meeting the energy standards of 2020.
The central focus must be on ensuring that the health and well-being of residents is not compromised when existing buildings are updated to 2020 energy-efficiency standards,
The VELUX commitment on CO2 reductions
In 2007, the VELUX Group committed itself to help preventing the negative impact of climate change by setting the ambitious goal to reduce its total CO2 emissions by 50% before 2020.
Today, the VELUX Group is far ahead of this goal. In 2014, CO2 emissions had been reduced by more than 29%. Currently, its carbon footprint has been reduced by 15% more than that required by the EU, which puts the Group nine years ahead of EU emission-reduction targets.
About the VELUX Group
For more than 80 years, the VELUX Group has created better living environments for people around the world; making the most of daylight and fresh air through the roof. Our product programme includes roof windows and modular skylights, decorative blinds, sun screening products and roller shutters, as well as installation and smart home solutions. These products help to ensure a healthy and sustainable indoor climate, for work and learning, for play and pleasure. We work globally – with sales and manufacturing operations in more than 36 countries and around 11,000 employees worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by non-profit, charitable foundations (THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS) and family. In 2022, the VELUX Group had total revenue of EUR 2.99 billion, VKR Holding had total revenue of EUR 4.29 billion, and THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS donated EUR 181 million in charitable grants.
For more information about VELUX Group, visit velux.com.