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

  • In ARCH4CHANGE, I work on an architectural education ‘climate emergency curriculum’ to mitigate and buffer the effects of the climate crisis, together with colleagues in other European countries. I am specifically researching tools and methods for teaching sustainable architecture, underpinning the transition towards a carbon neutral society.

    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 work as a research assistant on RESCUE (RESCUE - Finland), an interdisciplinary research project funded by the Academy of Finland that studies the role of real estate in crisis management, preparedness and mitigation. Specifically, I focus on mapping resilient solutions for living and working environments at urban and building scale to develop resilient built environments in the face of climate change and climate hazards, as well as other previously recognised or unexpected complex crises society will face in the future.

    Heini

  • Climate change is a health issue, and we need to uncover ways of reducing emissions from housing, improving occupant health, and adapting to future climates – for example in Finland, heatwaves and increased rainfall. I also look at the issue globally, contributing to the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate change by looking at how moving away from solid fuels and improving housing can help address health and climate goals. I also teach in the Sustainable Urban Development program

    Jonathon

  • Radical reductions in housing energy demand are required to reduce emissions, and one means is through energy efficient spatial design. However, despite various targets and regulations, there is no globally agreed and consistent method to measure GHG emissions from housing. I critically analyse and develop energy/carbon-related indicators and regulations for housing that incorporate occupancy and spatial properties. I also develop architectural spatial design solutions to reduce the actual energy consumption/operational carbon, while also including qualitative aspects such as delight and human well-being.

    Taru

  • 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 study spatial adaptability (i.e. physical space accommodating changing conditions over time), which is part of circular economy thinking, and ensuring that a building’s life is extended and remains in use (“in circulation”) for as long as possible. In addition, by implementing co-creative methods, I study what residents appreciate in their current living environments, and what they wish for in their future urban living environments, along with reviewing design considerations that can be formed based on these notions. Through these research streams, I focus on user-centric, future-proofed urban housing.

    Sini

  • I research and teach sustainable utilization, renovation, and development of the existing building stock to minimise unnecessary demolition, new construction, and operational emissions. Recently, my doctoral thesis showed that the Finnish housing stock - similar to stocks elsewhere - is a suitable alternative to new construction for housing the ageing population.

    Tapio

  • In ASUTUT, among other things, I have been researching different sustainable building evaluation tools and methods to objectively assess and compare the relative merits and claims made of green housing projects. I have also conducted research on spatial and morphological questions related to dwelling adaptability for more than 20 years.

    Jyrki

  • 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

  • My research and teaching focuses on the resilience and capacity of people and living environments to respond to and adapt to current and anticipated societal and environmental challenges. I am involved in most of the group’s projects and that of other (inter)national groups, including researching actual housing performance (e.g. technical, energy/carbon and human factors), because sustainable design and carbon emissions are not just a paper exercise, but must be met in reality.

    Sofie