New research confirms that automated solar shading is a key solution to reach 2050’s decarbonisation goals for the European building stock.

Climate change, causing higher temperatures, longer and more intense heatwaves, will significantly increase energy demand and associated GHG emissions for space cooling in buildings for the next decades. The International Energy Agency 2018 report “The Future of Cooling” warned policymakers of air-conditioners (ACs) as the fastest growing energy users in buildings in Europe and worldwide. The IEA is very clear about it, AC is becoming one of the top drivers of global electricity demand. The need for more sustainable, passive and low-energy cooling solutions is eminent.

A recent Guidehouse study compared solar shading solutions with AC  to reduce overheating in buildings in a changing climate towards 2050 and showed that smart (automated operating) solar shading could reduce the energy consumption for space cooling up to 60% in European buildings by 2050. It could prevent 100 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and is cost efficient saving 285 billion euros and at the same time adapting the European building stock to climate change effects. 

The Guidehouse Policy Brief, "Solar shading – Synergising mitigation of GHG emissions and adaptation to climate change" , Guidehouse Germany GmbH, 5 November 2021, read here 

The Infographic of the Guidehouse Study, read here  ENGLISH,  SPANISH,  GERMAN, DUTCH, ITALIAN,  SWEDISH 

The Executive Summary of the Policy Brief, February 2022, read here ENG, FR, GERMAN, DUTCH, FIN, SWEDISH; ITALIAN ; CZECH ; SPAIN

Press Release : As global warming is accelerating solar shading should be the first solution in the fight against overheating of buildings, February 2022, see English ; Dutch; French; German ; Italian ; Finnish ; Spanish ; Czech; Norwegian

Almost every nation on Earth signed up to the goals of the Paris climate agreement in 2015. This pact aims to keep the rise in global temperatures well below 2C this century and to pursue efforts to keep it under 1.5C.

The new IPCC report says that under all the emissions scenarios considered by the scientists, both temperature rise targets will be broken this century unless huge cuts in carbon take place.

IPCC report key points:

° Global surface temperature was 1.09C higher in the decade between 2011-2020 than between 1850-1900.
° The past five years have been the hottest on record since 1850
° The recent rate of sea level rise has nearly tripled compared with 1901-1971
° Human influence is "very likely" (90%) the main driver of the global retreat of glaciers since the 1990s and the decrease in Arctic sea-ice
° It is "virtually certain" that hot extremes including heatwaves have become more frequent and more intense since the 1950s, while cold events have become less frequent and less severe

Read the Summary IPCC Report for Policy Makers 

Mid June 2021 the EU Commission exchanged with ENVI Committee members views on the new EU strategy on adaptation to climate change.

This strategy aims to forge a climate-resilient Union by adapting the EU to current and future impacts of the climate change on Europeans’ life.

ES-SO welcomes this adaptation strategy which is necessary in view of the emergency of the situation. Extreme events related to climate change are more frequent, intense and persistent. Millions of humans suffer from overheating which makes adaptation of buildings a key factor for public health. This comprehensive strategy of adaptation must be applied to all sectors, including the building one.

Read more on ES-SO's position 

Other Position Papers :

ES-SO Statement on the Renovation Wave, read more