Building together: unleashing the power of public-private collaboration

The figure is well-known: buildings account for 37% of the world’s energy-related CO2 emissions. Historically burdened with a heavy environmental footprint, the construction sector has made significant strides towards decarbonizing its value chain in recent years. Yet the next steps of the journey will require a key ingredient: increased collaboration between the public and private sectors.

• From enhancing recycling and circularity to adopting less carbon-intensive materials and boosting energy efficiency, the construction industry has made substantial progress towards decarbonization. But as noted by Saint-Gobain CEO Benoit BAZIN at the first Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris on 7-8 March, “we need bold government action to accelerate change”. And public intervention is lagging in several areas, starting with energy supply.

• Decarbonizing industry at large requires a surge in carbon-free energy, mainly in the form of electricity. “At the global level, energy will have to be decarbonized, abundant, and cheap to compete with fossil fuels”, our Chairman Pierre-André de Chalendar recently commented before the French Académie des sciences. And industrial actors will need long-term visibility on energy prices.

• Another prerequisite to the industrial green transition: large-scale investment. In France, just decarbonizing large industrial sites by 2030 will require €50 billion. And €66 billion will be needed annually by 2030 to reach a carbon-neutral economy, notes Pierre-André de Chalendar. In construction, funds must target climate-neutral buildings and infrastructure as well as energy renovations.

• As Pascal EVEILLARD points out, the financial burden of these efforts cannot be shouldered by the private sector alone. “To encourage public and private investment in more sustainable projects requires the creation of shared, inclusive and standardized assessment tools applicable to all contexts and geographies.” Public investment, through taxes, incentives, or budget shifts, will also prove vital.

• At the local level, cities, too, have a role to play in making sustainable construction affordable and scalable. Though they occupy 3% of the earth’s land surface, cities account for over 70% of CO2 emissions. And with urban areas expanding rapidly, the building stock could double by 2050. While the bulk of sustainable development policy is written at the government level, local players can have an impact, too. In fact, countless cities across the world are already steering the creation and implementation of sustainable projects, on their own or through city-to-city collaborations like C40 Cities.

• In Madrid, an urban wasteland is being turned into an eco-friendly neighborhood with over 10,000 new energy-efficient homes and 25 hectares of public facilities. In Slovenia, Ljubljana teamed up with two private companies to bring to life the country’s largest energy retrofit contracting project, totaling 48 buildings. Addressing heat, aridification, and population growth, Phoenix has adopted a set of guidelines to bake water conservation (including efficient irrigation and cooling technologies) into its development process. “In 2024, these guidelines will be translated into text amendments that will apply to all new developments”, says Mayor Kate Gallego.

Innovation station

Introducing Lanaé, the next generation of Isover France glass wool – representing a perfect fusion of cutting-edge science and innovative design!

• To answer the needs of its clients, Isover created Lanaé. Isover's R&D department collaborated closely with technical, manufacturing, and product teams to revolutionize the recipe and production of glass wool. With the development of ten patents and an eco-design approach, Lanaé, which is available for the interior ranges, fulfills all its promises, delivering outstanding thermal and acoustic performance along with more comfortable installation.

• The icing on the cake? Lanaé is entirely recyclable and incorporates an average of 50% recycled glass. Moreover, its binder is biosourced, derived from raw materials sourced from the sugar and cereal industries.

Window to the future

In the battle against climate change, it’s easy to pit small gestures against larger initiatives. But solving the planetary puzzle will require combining large and small scales.

• For Lena Hök, Executive Vice President of Skanska Group, fighting climate change “is a matter of creating a whole picture by matching each piece.”

• How? “By thinking on several levels”, says Sally Uren, Chief Executive of the non-profit organization Forum for the Future.

• “What is the aim of your organization in our society, our economy? What are your guiding principles to tackle this question? Co-creation, participatory dialogue, and awareness of the local context are essential parameters in the answers to these questions”. That’s just one of the many insights shared by the two leaders on how to the construction sector can build a more sustainable future.

Can you guess?

Planning a veggie meal tonight? Guess what might have helped those vegetables grow...

• Indoor vertical farming is revolutionizing agriculture, enabling farmers to cultivate more produce in less space while shielding crops from adverse weather conditions. This sustainable method uses significantly less water and eliminates the need for pesticides.

• Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions’ Norseal® Silicone Product and Norgard™ line offer cutting-edge LED lighting solutions for modern greenhouses, boosting energy efficiency to accelerate crop growth and enhance crop quality and flavor. Learn more here.

Pioneers

Meet the close-knit team behind the next-generation panoramic windshields!

•  In the Czech Republic, Saint-Gobain Sekurit Hořovice team is breaking new ground with a special line dedicated to the production of large glass used to produce ultra-panoramic windshields. An industrial feat made possible by collaboration and teamwork!

• As Philippe Mesureur, General Manager, points out: “The men and women at Saint-Gobain’s Sekurit Hořovice are a key element of our success. They develop and manufacture increasingly effective glazing at the highest quality level, to make the car more and more attractive. Thanks to them and their know-how, we will producing innovative glazing systems for your future car tomorrow.”

Building bridges

The Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest is celebrating its 20th anniversary!

• Teaming up with World Green Building Council and One Click LCA, Saint-Gobain's international competition is seeking the next generation of architects.

• Every year, the contest attracts 1,300 students from 30 countries, offering them the opportunity to gain professional experience while emphasizing sustainability at every stage of their projects. The impact of their designs on occupants' health and well-being, as well as their ability to reduce carbon, energy, and resource usage, can determine their success.

• Discover more about this year edition, organized in partnership with Green Building Council Finland, University of Helsinki and Helsingin kaupunki – Helsingfors stad – City of Helsinki

Expanding our horizon

Athletes know that when it comes to preparing for the Paris Games, nothing is more important than team spirit. Our teams could tell you the same thing!

• From innovative Saint-Gobain solutions designed for the Athletes’ Village to the Saint-Gobain Foot 5 Challenge, all our teams are passionate about the Games… and determined to make this edition unforgettable! Our new episode of #TopStories takes you behind the scenes.