Breathing Life into Efficiency: IEQ takes Centre Stage at EUSEW 2024
On 10 June 2024, Brussels played host to a pivotal session of European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2024, titled “Breathing Life into Efficiency: Indoor Environmental Quality as a Cornerstone in Building Policy.” This Sustainable Energy Day initiative brought together policymakers, building professionals, industry experts, researchers and sustainability advocates to discuss how indoor environmental quality (IEQ) must be integrated into the heart of Europe’s building policy landscape.
The event was organised under the theme “Building Life Quality”, spotlighting the need for healthier, more productive indoor environments as part of the drive towards climate and energy goals.
Speakers emphasised that Europeans spend roughly 90 % of their lives indoors, yet a significant proportion of buildings still fail to deliver acceptable levels of comfort, health and productivity. Against this backdrop, renovation of the existing building stock was recognised as a major opportunity to boost energy efficiency without compromising on IEQ, particularly in light of the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and its new provisions aimed at supporting healthier indoor climates alongside energy savings.
Who was involved?
Our CEO, Adam Taylor, was proud to serve as a key speaker at the event, bringing insights from across the building and environmental services sector. Adam highlighted the importance of embedding IEQ considerations in building policies and shared practical perspectives on how businesses and policymakers can work together to implement the EPBD’s vision effectively. His contribution underscored both the challenges and opportunities for industry stakeholders in shaping healthier, more efficient buildings for the future.
What was the outcome?
As Europe seeks to meet its 2050 climate neutrality targets (Net-Zero), discussions such as those held during this Sustainable Energy Day will only grow in importance. The event successfully framed IEQ not as a luxury, but as a cornerstone of building performance, essential to occupant wellbeing and long-term sustainability. Moving forward, collaboration between industry, government, and technical specialists will be critical in delivering a built environment that is both energy efficient and truly life-enhancing.
