The Saint-Gobain Group – which specializes in the production and distribution of materials for sustainable construction and living comfort – has launched theSustainable Construction Observatory. The Observatory today presents the second edition of the “ Sustainable ConstructionBarometer, ” a study conducted by the research institute CSA, to understand the evolutions and key factors to be activated to accelerate the development of sustainable construction in Italy and the rest of the world.
THE BAROMETER
Launched last year in 10 countries, the Sustainable Construction Barometer 2024 involved with a quantitative survey professionals, students, elected representatives and members of associations from 22 countries, including Italy.
The survey was conducted by the research institute CSA between Dec. 11, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024, among a sample of 1,760 respondents aged 18 and older from: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam. The panel of interviewees included elected representatives, professionals, students, and members of associations involved in construction, building, ecological transition, housing energy, etc.
This provides a detailed understanding of both local and global issues, helps measure progress and identify areas of action on which to focus efforts to promote the crucial issue of sustainable building as a strategic and essential response to major contemporary issues: climate, resource conservation and rapid urbanization.
THE EVIDENCE
Ninety-five percent of participants agree that implementing more sustainable building is an important or priority issue. And while this level of urgency is clearly shared by all stakeholders, regardless of geographic region, the understanding of sustainable building seems partial, often limited to environmental issues. In fact, its definition is still largely associated with “green building”: with a definition directly linked to the energy efficiency of buildings (42 percent) and achieving carbon neutrality in construction (33 percent). Notions of resilience and occupant comfort are considered secondary.
Awareness is high, but varies among respondents: 87 percent of global-scale respondents said they were familiar with sustainable building, but 20 percent said they had never heard of it.
92 percent of construction professionals believe that sustainable building will make up all or part of their business in the next 5 years.
