FESCOMAD 2023: SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT PANEL
The construction sector is at the heart of a critical decarbonization process aimed at reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions today. This statement was emphasized by a panel of sustainability experts on September 20th at Fescomad 2023, the panel comprised José María García Gómez (Deputy Minister of Housing, Transportation, and Infrastructure of the Community of Madrid), María Teresa de Diego Fernández (Member of the Board of Directors of AEICE), Ana Bernabéu Rodríguez (Deputy Secretary of Public Policies and Employment, CCOO del Hábitat), and Ana María García Hervás (Member of the Secretariat for Safety, Health, Environment, and Sustainability, UGT-FICA), who discussed various key aspects of the sector during the roundtable discussion.
One of the most prominent challenges facing the construction sector is the need to attract young talent. Generational renewal is essential to drive innovation and the adoption of more sustainable practices in the industry. Additionally, industrialized construction and digitalization present significant opportunities to enhance the efficiency of production processes, potentially creating attractive jobs for young professionals. These trends must be leveraged to attract and retain talent in the sector.
Continuous education is also considered crucial in this context. The notion that skills have an expiration date necessitates a focus on lifelong learning. In contrast to the traditional "master and apprentice" model, ongoing training is essential to keep up with the latest trends and technologies in the industry.
Urban renewal is presented as a pressing need to improve people's quality of life. Many existing homes can and should be improved from the perspective of sustainability and energy efficiency. This would not only contribute to reducing CO2 emissions but also enhance the comfort and habitability of these urban spaces.
The panel of experts emphasized the importance of continuing to provide financial support for decarbonizing the sector. Mitigation and adaptation strategies are essential to address the impact of climate change on construction and promote sustainable practices.
Ana Bernabéu highlighted innovation in materials and techniques, such as modular construction, as the primary path in the sector's evolution. Achieving energy neutrality by 2050 is an important goal but feasible with adequate support from authorities. This implies that authorities will play a fundamental role in promoting more sustainable practices and encouraging the adoption of clean technologies. The "Plan Vive Madrid", which promotes energy-efficient housing and industrialized construction, was cited as an example of an initiative in this direction. Although industrialized construction may initially have a slightly higher cost (around 10%), it is expected that as demand increases, prices will equalize thanks to economies of scale.
María Teresa de Diego emphasized the importance of efficiency criteria, including sustainability, cost, emissions, and demand. It is essential to disseminate success stories in the construction sector to inspire others to adopt more sustainable practices.
Support for housing rehabilitation was also highlighted as a crucial element. Since much of the housing stock is old and inefficient from an energy perspective, rehabilitation not only increases property values but also improves energy efficiency.
In summary, the construction sector faces a series of crucial challenges and opportunities. These include attracting young talent, adopting more efficient and sustainable approaches, promoting continuous education, urban renewal, investing in research and development, and housing rehabilitation. To address these challenges, it is essential to have agile and appropriate regulations, as well as continuous support from authorities and the promotion of sustainable practices throughout the industry.
