Transcript Challenges for the construction sector

Challenges for the
construction sector
Antonio Paparella
DG GROW C1 "Clean technologies and products"
Brussels – 24 June 2015
EESC & CoR conference "Freeing Europe safely from asbestos"
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The construction sector in the EU:
a global partner
-
10% of GDP
Est. 100 billion Euros external trade
3 million businesses
20 million jobs, more than 90% in SMEs
40% of EU's total energy consumption
36% of EU's carbon emissions
3.2 billion ton per annum raw materials
consumed
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The construction sector within the EU's
policies:
At the crossroad of several prominent EU policies:
-
Internal market
Industrial competitiveness
Energy
Environment
Climate
Social dialogue
Policy + Regulation + Financial instruments
Construction 2020 strategy
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SMEs in specialised construction activities:
main employer in buildings' renovation
and energy retrofits
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Many buildings
which needs
energy
improvements
have been
constructed during
the period when
asbestos was not
banned
Source: JRC Ispra map based on Eurostat data
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Asbestos waste removal: challenges
- Identifying asbestos containing material
- Plan of work before demolition works or removal
of asbestos to reduce exposure risks
- Competence of firms
- Storing, transport and inertizing of asbestos
waste
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Plan of action
- Improving knowledge about asbestos presence in the
building stock
- Guidance and other supporting material (per
specialized construction activity/product )
- Training at different levels (technical managers,
foremen, specialized operators, etc.)
- Appropriate infrastructure for asbestos waste disposal
and treatment
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Policy intervention
- Specific support to SMEs, especially for those
which come into contact with asbestos
accidentally:
 Guidance documents, awareness raising campaigns,
support tools (possibly IT), education and training
- Development of infrastructure for collecting,
transporting and disposal of asbestos waste
- Research and innovation in treatment of asbestos
waste (plasma torches, pyrolysis, etc.)
Public-private partnership depends on
national context
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Thank you for your attention !
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