Sustainable construction is becoming one of the most topical issues in today's world as the need to cut energy consumption and emissions grows. To discuss this subject and consider the construction sector's readiness for change, the first conference in the Sustainable Construction conference series, "How do we promote the production and use of sustainable building materials?", will take place on 13 June. The conference will bring together leading industry experts, representatives of national and local government, and researchers to discuss the development of sustainable construction in Latvia. Speakers will provide an insight into current European regulations and offer solutions for encouraging more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient construction.

The latest European Union regulations, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR), set out a new approach to assessing the environmental impact of buildings by introducing new building assessment indicators. Buildings are significant material stores that serve as reservoirs of resources for many decades. While today we can assess buildings by their energy consumption per square metre (kWh/m²), in future a new indicator is to be introduced – CO₂ emissions per square metre (CO₂/m2). How these new principles will be incorporated into Latvian legislation remains to be seen, but it is clear that demand for more sustainable building materials in Europe and elsewhere in the world will grow regardless.

Change is taking place across the whole chain – from the property developer and the financier through to the building materials manufacturer and the tenant. Clients of Latvian exporting companies in other European Union countries expect sustainability and emissions certification. To consider whether the move towards sustainable construction in Latvia is well planned and how to manage it properly, the conference will address questions about the legislative, building regulation and EU fund instruments needed for the property and construction sector to remain competitive. Examples of good practice among companies will also be examined.

The conference speakers will include Baiba Brusbārde, chief economist at the Bank of Latvia; Kristaps Puļķis, head of development and research at Knauf; Normunds Mitko, board member at Saint Gobain Celtniecības produkti; Olga Feldmane, director of the Construction Policy Department at the Ministry of Economics; Edijs Kupčs, head of the Latvian Association of Building Contractors; Ints Dālderis, head of the Alliance of Real Estate Developers; and Leonīds Jākobsons, head of the Latvian Association of Building Materials Manufacturers.

Armands Gūtmanis, head of the association Latvijas Klimata neitralitātes klasteris, notes that "after the European Parliament elections the mood in the European Union may change, and climate and emissions reduction targets will gain additional funding. Since regulations in the field of sustainable construction have already been adopted and implemented in many member states, careful work is needed to introduce them in Latvia as well, balancing Europe's ambitious targets, people's ability to pay, the restructuring of industry and competitiveness".

Baiba Brusbārde stresses that climate neutrality is an inevitable reality and at the same time a unique opportunity for Latvia, and that with good groundwork and examples of sustainability we should channel our energy towards development. Edijs Kupčs adds that sustainable construction in Latvia must be balanced so that it goes hand in hand with our economy and practical reality, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and experience among industry professionals.

Kristaps Puļķis stresses that Knauf as a global family business is aware of its responsibility towards customers and employees, focusing all of its activity on protecting the environment, reducing resource use and CO₂, and improving quality of life. Normunds Mitko of SIA Saint Gobain celtniecības produkti notes that Saint Gobain works with its customers to design, manufacture and distribute materials and solutions that have a positive impact on people's lives, providing wellbeing, quality of life and performance while caring for the planet.

Leonīds Jākobsons adds that sustainable construction is the joint and considered work of building materials manufacturers, designers, builders and property developers, creating a secure present while thinking about tomorrow.

The conference is supported by Latvijas Klimata neitralitātes klasteris, the Latvian Renewable Energy Federation, and the companies SIA Knauf and SIA Saint Gobain Celtniecības produkti.

To register for the conference and obtain further information, write to: laine.otersone@metaadvisory.lv