In the quest for a sustainable future, the green transformation of the building industry and buildings themselves play a vital role. The building sector is responsible for a staggering 38% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The topics of interest in Greencode’s investment theme Green Buildings and Livings centers around the improvement of construction process, the reduction of waste, energy savings and consumption of buildings and the recycling of materials to enable and achieve carbon neutral buildings in the next decade. The priority is circularity and sustainability. We split that area into three subdomains to find the best digital solutions enabling the green transition of building: Net-Zero Energy Buildings, Smart Buildings and Design and Construction for Circularity.
Net-Zero energy buildings
Net-zero energy buildings are at the forefront of sustainable construction practices. These buildings are designed to generate as much energy as they consume, resulting in a minimal carbon footprint. Key features of net-zero energy buildings include the utilization of renewable energy sources, e.g., solar panels, and the integration of energy-efficient design, construction, and operations. Monitoring software enabling continuous tracking and optimization of energy usage, is at the core to ensure optimal performance and energy savings.
Smart buildings
Smart buildings leverage advanced technologies to optimize energy efficiency and enhance occupant comfort. Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) play a crucial role in monitoring and controlling energy usage in real-time, allowing building operators to make data-driven decisions for energy demand, consumption and conservation. The energy efficiency is significantly influenced by smart home automation and the usage of IoT devices in home contributing to energy efficiency by integrating devices like thermostats and lighting systems with BEMS. Such data points can then be used by analytics software to identify energy-saving opportunities, enabling proactive energy management and reducing overall energy consumption on the individual tenant level.
Design and construction for circularity
Property and building developer start to prioritize design and construction practices that minimize environmental impact and embrace circularity. Such Green construction involves using recycled, local, and environmentally friendly materials, reducing waste throughout the building lifecycle, and integrating circular principles into building systems and operations. Initiatives such as the German Association of Sustainable Construction (DGNB e.V) are industry-driven initiatives to enable the green transition of design and construction. Building Information Models and Modeling (BIM) play a crucial role in achieving these goals. It enables e.g. detailed 3D models for optimized building design, waste reduction, and improved energy efficiency. Furthermore, health and safety aspects can be taken into account to ensure the well-being of both workers and building inhabitants something that becomes very important for buildings optimized for elderly tenants.
As the urgency to combat climate change intensifies, green buildings and living solutions and technologies have become key drivers for a sustainable future of the building and construction industry. With our investment theme and a strong digital-first focus, Greencode is committed to investing in the improvement of construction processes, waste reduction, energy savings, and the recycling of materials for carbon-neutral buildings.