A sustainable society is one that protects the environment while fostering conditions that promote the mental and physical well-being of all its members. In the building sector, this means creating structures that are energy-efficient, low-emission and healthy and comfortable. But can health and comfort be ensured while still ensuring sustainable use of resources?
European citizens spend 90% of their time indoors. Meanwhile, buildings account for over one-third of emissions and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. Clearly, the answer to this question must be ‘yes’ if we are to achieve a truly sustainable society.
Finding ways to combine health, comfort, and sustainability is of increasing interest in both research and policy. The latest revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive incorporates the concept of indoor environmental quality, marking a significant step forward.
INTRODUCTION:
Between schools, workplaces, homes, and public spaces, people in Europe spend 90% of their time indoor, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) data.
It is therefore essential that these indoor environments are healthy and support the physical and mental well-being of those who occupy them. According to the WHO, the past few decades have seen a significant improvement in the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of buildings. However, the WHO also warns that these improvements are unevenly distributed, as they are closely linked to the quality of buildings, which disproportionately affects vulnerable socio-economic groups.
Poor IEQ can lead to serious health problems, impact psychological well-being and cognitive functions, and contribute to discomfort, stress, and decreased productivity.
The IEQ, as defined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), is ‘a perceived indoor experience of the building indoor environment that includes aspects of design, analysis, and operation of energy-efficient, healthy, and comfortable buildings. Fields of specialisation include architecture, HVAC design, thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), lighting, acoustics, and control systems.’
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